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Ohio University has shut down the Sigma Pi Epsilon fraternity following the death of a student pledge.
According to a statement from Ohio University officials, 18-year-old Collin Wiant was found unresponsive in an off-campus apartment that is allegedly an unofficial annex of the university’s Sigma Pi Epsilon chapter.
After being found unresponsive at the fraternity’s annex house, Wiant was pronounced dead at the hospital a little while later.
Following the death of Wiant, a notification of cease and desist was sent to Elijah Wahib, the president of Sigma Pi Epsilon.
As a result of the cease and desist, the fraternity can not meet in any capacity, which includes organizational meetings, executive board meetings, organizational programming, social events, philanthropic events, recreational sports competitions, and any trip or travel.
Additionally, active fraternity members may also not communicate via any means, including voice, email, text or any social media platform, without pre-approval from Compton. All chapter members will be notified of the directive, Compton said in the letter.
via The Post:
University Spokeswoman Carly Leatherwood said the administrative directive to the chapter was “as an abundance of caution” by the university.
On Tuesday, Martha Compton, director of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility (CSSR), sent a notification of cease and desist to Elijah Wahib, the president of Sigma Pi at OU.
Compton said in the letter that CSSR “has received information which alleges that (the fraternity) has engaged in conduct that puts the health and safety of (its) members at risk and is not in compliance with the behavioral expectations set out in the (OU) Student Code of Conduct.”
Additionally, active fraternity members may also not communicate via any means, including voice, email, text or any social media platform without approval from Martha Compton.
The closure of Sigma Pi Epsilon at Ohio University is the latest major Greek life suspension, expulsion, or overhaul in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State, and Penn State have all suspended fraternities for various reasons.
Fraternities have been suspended or expelled across the nation as Greek life organizations and universities attempt to grapple with the pitfalls of hazing, alcohol and drug abuse, and sexual assault.
