Clemson University suspends all fraternities after freshman’s death

[Kevin]

So a fraternity allegedly hazed hard enough to kill someone. What does the University think compliance with their suspension of pledging activities from groups which already (allegedly) didn't have problems breaking the law by hazing will look like?

The organizations which always follow the rules will do so and the groups which ignored state law and the student code of conduct will continue to do that. Typical overreaction.

[KDMafia]

We're talking about a student body of nearly 17,000 students. If less than 1:1000 on a campus is experiencing some sort of negative behavior, can we really call it an epidemic?

You've omitted the part where it's just in the last couple of weeks. and it's not an issue of 1:1000 if it's complaints against organizations. If, out of 15 complaints, 6 of those are important and they deal with multiple fraternities that speaks to a campus culture issue surrounding both pledging and the general social climate.

The other issue is now with Title IX and more people speaking out about sexual assault on campus the university is going to be more cautious. If there are obvious issues related to hazing and increased alcohol consumption during pledging those are also going to connect to more issues related to sexual assault or harassment.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by KDMafia

You've omitted the part where it's just in the last couple of weeks. and it's not an issue of 1:1000 if it's complaints against organizations. If, out of 15 complaints, 6 of those are important and they deal with multiple fraternities that speaks to a campus culture issue surrounding both pledging and the general social climate.

The other issue is now with Title IX and more people speaking out about sexual assault on campus the university is going to be more cautious. If there are obvious issues related to hazing and increased alcohol consumption during pledging those are also going to connect to more issues related to sexual assault or harassment.

And I'm guessing there's nothing new here. Let the process play out. There should be no action taken against groups who follow the rules.

[sugar and spice]

Originally Posted by Kevin

We're talking about a student body of nearly 17,000 students. If less than 1:1000 on a campus is experiencing some sort of negative behavior, can we really call it an epidemic?

Well, that's the point. It isn't a student body of 17,000 students that's experiencing these complaints. It's a group of fraternity members consisting of 1600, give or take a hundred (the most recent stats I found on Clemson's IFC were from 2012). Some of those complaints involve multiple fraternities. And the university says that that is substantially above the usual number of complaints they receive in a similar time span.

And in my opinion, one sexual assault allegation is serious enough for the university to take some kind of action. Three in the span of "a few weeks" is beyond the pale and the suspension of activities would be justified on that basis alone.

Originally Posted by Kevin

And I'm guessing there's nothing new here. Let the process play out. There should be no action taken against groups who follow the rules.

According to this article, the hazing complaints that are currently being investigated/have recently been investigated involve every single one of the IFC fraternities.

[exlurker]

Update:

Clemson will allow some fraternities to resume activities October 10, according to reports. For details and requirements that must be met for a fraternity to resume activities, see

http://www.abcnews4.com/story/267007...-resume-oct-10

[amIblue?]

Tucker Hipps' parents have filed a $25 million lawsuit in which it is alleged that his death stemmed from a fight over McDonald's biscuits.

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/stor...suit/70690688/

I have no words.

[LaneSig]

I was reading this today. I'm greatly disturbed by the allegations of a coverup by the members and the pledges. If the accusations are true, these guys went to great lengths to hide what happened.

MysticCat or Kevin can probably clarify, but is there "conspiracy after the fact" in cases of manslaughter?

[pbear19]

As an insurance defense attorney, I see comolaints filed with courts every day that are full of wild, hugely unsubstantiated claims. It's the nature of the beast, at least where I practice. I would caution anyone from thinking that the allegations in a complaint are all founded on truth or even suspicion.

Not saying that is the case here. Just advising we all read complaints with several grains of salt.

[Kevin]

Reading the article, I'm having a hard time seeing manslaughter.