Fraternities and sororities around the state — including those at Kenyon College — are under increased scrutiny after the recent death of a Bowling Green State University student in an alleged hazing incident.
The Intra-University Council of Ohio, representing the state's public colleges and universities, called for an end to hazing in a March 10 letter to Gov. Mike DeWine.
"Hazing is unacceptable and intolerable," the letter said. "It is something that should and must never be excused or rationalized."
At Kenyon College in Knox County, where approximately one-fourth of the students are in fraternities or sororities, the administration has taken a hardline stance when it comes to hazing. The Kenyon Collegian student newspaper reported an alleged hazing incident in 2018 involving a fraternity branding its members. As a result, Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) was suspended, and the Collegian reported the school's Greek Council denied DKE's petition for reinstatement last year.
"Kenyon College shares in the goal of promoting a safe campus environment,” Kenyon spokesperson Mary Keister recently told the Mount Vernon News.
She declined further comment.
Additionally, fraternity and sorority houses no longer exist on the Gambier campus and the inclusion of all students is encouraged.
"At Kenyon, fraternities, sororities and societies occupy 'divisions' of residence halls at the southern end of campus, so they live in an integrated way among independent students,” the website stated. “Social opportunities hosted by Greek organizations are open to the whole campus."
