The Ohio State chapter of the Delta Chi Fraternity was closed on Thursday and will not be back for at least five years.

“They were charged with five violations of the Code of Student Conduct,” said Ruth Gerstner, spokeswoman for the Office of Student Affairs. “These included hazing, endangering health and safety, and alcohol violations.”

A panel of faculty, staff and students found the chapter guilty of violating these rules, and their status as a student organization was revoked until autumn 2008, Gerstner said. The chapter has until Aug. 11 to repeal the decision.

“This is a very serious sanction and it is not taken lightly, but the university does not take hazing lightly either,” Gerstner said. “When an organization like this has no status they are not recognized by the university, so they can’t participate in university functions. They are basically a non-entity.”

According to a press release from OSU, the allegations brought against the chapter included “providing alcohol to underage persons, creating situations that encouraged consumption of dangerous amounts of alcohol and ‘ditching,’ in which members were abducted, had their hands bound, were forced into vehicles and held in an off-campus location for a period of time.”

This is the second time the chapter has been sanctioned for violating rules against hazing. Delta Chi was put on probation for a year in 2001 for hazing during winter quarter. Their probation expired in 2002, and during winter of 2003, they were found to have engaged in hazing again, Gerstner said.

“The thing that concerns us the most is that the group had put together a new member plan that said they would not be involved in this kind of thing,” said Bill Hall, vice president of Student Affairs. “But we have found through investigations that they are. That is probably the most disturbing thing.”

At OSU, it is made clear through training programs, meetings and contracts hazing is an unacceptable practice.

“We have annual meetings with fraternities and sororities about hazing,” Hall said. “We go over the definition of hazing and what it means, and we spell out what they need to do to not be in violation of the hazing policies. It’s made very clear that incidents of hazing are not tolerated by Ohio State or by the national chapters.”

According to the OSU Code of Student Conduct, hazing is defined as “doing, requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation or continued membership or participation in any group, that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, use of alcohol, creation of excessive fatigue, and paddling, punching or kicking of any form.”

Students wishing to join a fraternity or sorority are made aware of the hazing policy at registration.

“All new members joining a Greek organization have to sign a card at registration stating that they have read the definition of hazing, understand what it is, and that it is forbidden,” Gerstner said. “It is inconsistent with our values and our mission at Ohio State.”

According to a statement from Ray Galbreth, executive director of the Delta Chi International Fraternity, the national chapter of Delta Chi is investigating the alleged violations made by the OSU chapter.

In the release, Galbreth said, “Delta Chi believes very strongly in providing a quality fraternity experience for young men. Delta Chi does not support or condone activities inconsistent with the values of a strong moral character, leadership, educational excellence, and civic responsibility.”

The Interfraternity Council at OSU does not condone the practice of hazing, said Matt Horne, president of the Interfraternity Council. Delta Chi was a part of the Council, but with their status as a student organization revoked, they cannot be a part of the Council again until they petition to come back on campus in five years.

“Despite what may or may not have happened, I am told that Delta Chi cooperated very well with the university and the police,” Horne said. “That is certainly commendable on their part. As a fraternity, Delta Chi has made a big effort to improve the Greek community and they have been a significant factor in promoting Greek life.”

In the recent history of hazing in the Greek community of OSU, problems with this illegal practice are few.

“There are not many instances of hazing because most Greek organizations are very responsible,” Gerstner said. “Most members of the Greek community want to eliminate hazing and change the culture.”

Since December 2000, there have been five fraternities and one sorority sanctioned under the Code of Student Conduct, and none of them had their status revoked, Gerstner said.

The Interfraternity Council also has not dealt with many hazing problems.

“Incidents of hazing are brought to the attention of the media quickly when they do happen,” Horne said. “But I have been in office since early February and I haven’t had to deal with hazing except for a few isolated incidents.”