Syracuse University has placed chapters of the Zeta Beta Tau and Alpha Tau Omega fraternities on investigation status. 

Activity at both chapters is indefinitely halted until the investigations are complete, said Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for university communications, in an email to The Daily Orange on Friday.

The alleged misconduct that led to the investigations is unclear. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs’ website also lists the chapters as under investigative status. ZBT is currently on disciplinary probation until Dec. 31 from a previous infraction.

SU previously suspended ZBT after a university conduct board found it violated the university’s Code of Student Conduct. The university also placed the chapter on disciplinary probation in 2018 after a The D.O. released a video showing a fraternity member spitting into the open mouth of a person lying on the floor while other people yell and laugh in the background. 

“Due to the sometimes sensitive nature of cases and to maintain students’ privacy, we do not comment on active investigations,” Scalese said.

Libby Anderson, CEO of ZBT’s national organization, said in a Friday email to The D.O. that ZBT doesn’t “tolerate intolerance of any kind.”

“If allegations of intolerance are found accurate, we will work with the university to hold members accountable to our values, policies and the student code of conduct,” Anderson said. 

Wynn Smiley, CEO of ATO’s national organization, was not immediately available for comment.

Published on October 25, 2019 at 3:12 pm

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