Vol. 118, No. 75 Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 collegian.psu.edu SUSPENDED By Alison Kuznitz THE DAILY COLLEGIAN March,30 Beta Theta Pi sits eerily dark at 220 N. Burrowes St., with nearby fraterni- ties festooned in bright holiday lights. Only a faint purple glow from a security system is visible inside the house where sophomore pledge Timothy Piazza Penn State announces greek life died last February following an alcohol-fueled hazing ritual. But, Beta Theta Pi is still part of a constellation, a fabric of fraternity restrictions,bans Beta Theta Pi chapters and entire greek life systems that have been shuttered across the fraternity permanently nation. Louisiana State. Indiana University. Florida State. The list goes on — and so do the tales of sexual assault, binge drink- ing and other conduct violations. OUT OF TIME OUT OF In June, the Penn State Board of Trustees voted on major reforms to curb this very behavior at the university. Beyond tactics including increased monitoring of fraternities and deferred recruitment, a “score card” was intro- duced. With some chapters at Penn State already receiving failing marks, The Daily Collegian investigated if other major institutions wrestling with the so-called greek life epi- demic are any closer to earning passing grades. The following responses come from a mixture of professional and student reporters — the individu- als who have been paint- ing the narrative of quickly crumbling greek structures in recent weeks. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY All 37 fraterni- ties at Ohio State are under interim suspension, but no members are being forced to move out, said Owen Daugh- erty, the assistant campus editor of The Lantern. Before that landmark decision in November, 11 fraternities were — and continue to be — under investiga- tion by administration. Sept. 14 “A handful of fraternities have already been found to have violations regard- ing hazing or alcohol infractions, according to Ohio State,” Daugherty said. “With those violations, the individual fraternities were either socially suspend- Louisiana State University ed or put on cease and desist, which means you can’t do anything until further suspends all greek life for a notice.” Much the same as at Penn State, greek life is embedded in the culture at week Ohio State, though membership rates are at only about 10 to 12 percent. “Sororities and fraternities on campus feel more prominent than they are,” Daugherty said. “However, it is an active community that can be seen wearing letters and holding events frequently across campus.” The future direction of greek life and spring recruitment at Ohio State re- mains uncertain. But, one vital aspect is clear: The fraternities will be back. “This is certainly not a permanent, or even long-term, suspension,” Daugh- erty said. He said the IFC is currently creating an action plan to present to adminis- tration, with the hope of lifting the restrictions. FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Katherine Lutz described the current atmosphere around Florida State campus as pretty quiet — but tense. Nov. 7 and Nov. 16 The editor-in-chief at the FSView & Florida Flambeau said her university has had a rough semester. “Between Hurricane Irma, a tough football season and the greek ban… I Florida State University think that mostly students are ready for it to be 2018 and for a new semester to start,” Lutz said. indefinitely suspends greek On Nov. 3, Pi Kappa Phi pledge Andrew Coffey died after an off-campus life party. And, just three days later, a member of Phi Delta Theta at the university was arrested for selling and trafficking cocaine. By the following Monday, University President John Thrasher announced Ohio University suspends he was indefinitely suspending all 54 fraternities and sororities at Florida State. activities of select “They make up about 25 percent of our population and contribute signifi- fraternities a week following cantly to aspects of our campus culture like service and socials,” Lutz said. “They tend to be on top of things like tailgates and homecoming as well, so the timing of the ban made the impact rather significant throughout the entire community.” As Lutz sees it, greek life will be reinstated soon — contingent on stricter policies and regulations. “It was horrifying to lose a student to irresponsibility, and I hope this or- deal sparks change,” she said. “I also understand that in order for change to happen, it’ll be a pretty significant cultural shift around campus, so it may be easier said than done.” LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY All greek activities were frozen at Louisiana State University after the Sep- Nov. 27 tember death of Phi Delta Theta fraternity pledge Maxwell Gruver. Then it was “unfrozen,” but quickly reversed by University President F. King Alexan- Indiana University suspends der, after a string of complaints. “That’s the big standing consequence from the student death,” Rebekah Al- fraternity activities len, an enterprise reporter at The Advocate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said. “They can do philanthropy events, but they still can’t do pledging events. That ban is in place until January because they have a taskforce looking into evalu- ations and revamping of rules surrounding greek life.” See GREEK, Page A2. PAGE A2| FRIDAY, DEC. 8, 2017 LOCAL THE DAILY COLLEGIAN THE WREATH OF FINALS Stacy Parks Miller challenges Centre County courts Stephanie Panny Lachman is the judge through THE DAILY COLLEGIAN whom the new charges — the charges related to the deleted District Attorney Stacy Parks video footage — are being filed. Miller said she feels personally Parks Miller accused Sinclair victimized in regard to how the of making an “error of law” in Centre County court system is dismissing the felony charges, handling the Beta Theta Pi case. saying the felony charges of ag- “While this case may be un- gravated assault and involuntary usual and novel in complexity manslaughter were previously and number of Defendants, the approved by a Centre County Court has an obligation to handle Grand Jury after hearing evi- it properly and be fair to both dence to support those charges sides,” Parks Mill- over a four- er said in a press “...the Court has an month span. release. “To date, She also said it has failed miser- obligation to handle the outcome was ably.” it properly and be made “uneven In a release sent and confusing” to various media fair to both sides. because Sin- outlets early on To date, it has failed clair dismissed Thursday after- the charges in noon, Parks Miller miserably.” an “inexplicable cited different Stacy Parks Miller unexplainable ways in which Cen- fashion” and this tre County has at- District Attorney is enough for an tempted to delay appeal of his de- the preliminary hearings of the cision. defendants in the case until she Parks Miller also accused leaves office at the end of Decem- Lachman of “unilaterally” choos- ber. ing to refrain from proceeding According to the release, Parks on the new complaints by sched- Miller said she filed concerns uling all the new arraignments with the court to recuse — or, before Thanksgiving, attempting “excuse due to possible conflict to “withdraw” warrants he was of interest or lack of impartiality” supposed to issue and refusing — Magisterial District Judges Al- to sign the affidavit for Nicholas len Sinclair and Steven Lachman Kubera until one count of the mis- Jonah Rosen/Collegian from hearing the Beta Theta Pi demeanor charge of “Furnishing case. Sinclair was the judge who Alcohol to Minors” was dropped. Danielle Ryle (graduate-Renaissance literature) decorates a wreath at the Ritenour Building on Dec. 6. dismissed the felony charges at To read full story, visit the beginning of September, and collegian.psu.edu, Is it the most wonderful time of the year? By Allison Moody worsening of symptoms for those self-harm behavior, suicide at- THE DAILY COLLEGIAN dealing with mental health is- tempts and completions decrease sues, especially depression and during the holidays, but increase Christmas and the entire holi- anxiety. sharply afterward. day season are often a time of joy, The 2011 peer-reviewed article, According to the AFSP, suicide hope and love. “The Christmas Effect on Psy- is the third leading cause of death Happiness is sold to consum- chopathy” compiled all available for those ages 10 to 24 in Pennsyl- ers through songs, movies and research on the topic and came vania and the 11th leading cause gifts as the only acceptable way to the conclusion that the holiday of death for all Pennsylvanians. to feel through the entire holiday season can lead to a worsening “Suicide is very prevalent in mood, with loneliness, anxiety our society,” Benz said. “When season. and helplessness being among it happens in the spring or sum- Although this is a hope, it is not the most common emotions. mer, it kind of gets swept under often a reality. Known as “The “One of the most relevant fac- the rug.” Christmas Effect,” the holiday tors in Christmas depressions is Each year around the holidays, season often contributes to a the individual’s belief in the myth the AFSP promotes its list of that everyone else is having a risk factors and warning signs to good time and engaged in loving make people more aware of their family relationships — clearly a loved ones behavior. wish, but not necessarily true,” If you personally suffer from one study concluded. a mental illness, there are many Strained relationships with things you can do to help yourself Collegian file photo family, friends and significant during this often difficult time. The Student Health Center is located at 438 Student Health Ctr. others — or a lack of these rela- “As hard as it is, try not to iso- tionships altogether — can often late yourself,” Benz said.