Michaela Brew / Sun Sports Photography Editor

The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity was placed on interim suspension by the University on Feb. 23.

February 26, 2016

Cornell Administrator Reveals Seven Hazing Investigations Underway This Month

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p class=”p1″>Correction appended

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has opened seven active hazing investigations this month, Travis Apgar, senior associate dean of students, wrote in an email to the Interfraternity Council Thursday.

Phi Gamma Delta and Pi Kappa Phi fraternities were placed on interim suspension Tuesday following multiple reports of hazing. The incidents included “intimidation, verbal abuse, harassment, alcohol consumption and calisthenics,” the University announced in a statement.

Apgar noted in the email that Thursday marked the five-year anniversary of Cornell student George Desdunes’ ’13 death from a hazing incident during the induction of pledges at Sigma Alpha Epsilon in 2011.

“I implore you to step up and to make sure your chapter is following the approved new member plan which included activities and experiences which honor the values of your chapter, and treat all members and new members with respect and dignity,” Apgar wrote in the email.

With the initiation deadline approaching this Sunday, Apgar cautioned all chapters to abide by the approved new member plan and welcome all new members on time.

“We need to work together to rid our groups of hazing altogether,” Apgar said. “Every student here deserves to be treated with respect, every fraternity and sorority stands for honorable principles, be sure your group is living up to it all.”

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Tri-Council had opened the hazing investigations. In fact, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has.