Columbus Police Open Hazing Probe Into Ohio State Sigma Alpha Epsilon
The fraternity was suspended Sunday after two men sustained second and third degree burns in an incident recorded on video.
By Rafael Bailey ·
Columbus Police are investigating the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter of Ohio State University for hazing.
The investigation follows a weekend incident in which two men suffered second and third degree burns.
Police records, including audio from a dispatch call, provide details on the events that led to the chapter's interim suspension.
The suspension was issued by the university on Sunday after a video showed two individuals on fire.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 7.
An unidentified student reported the video to police around 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 8.
The caller told the dispatcher that one victim extinguished the flames quickly while the other was stripped naked and still burning when the recording stopped.
She noted that Ohio State Police initially told her the matter fell outside their jurisdiction.
The student said she wanted to ensure the video was reviewed by the correct department.
The event took place four days after a university gathering where two mothers whose sons died in hazing incidents spoke to Greek life groups about prevention.
The police report describes the two individuals as participating in reckless hazing activities with moderate injuries.
Both victims have not been identified publicly in the report or university announcements to date. Ohio State's Code of Student Conduct defines hazing as any activity during initiation or membership that creates a substantial risk of harm or humiliation. The policy applies even if the participants voluntarily agree to the activity. Failure to intervene, prevent, or report such activities is also considered a violation. Sanctions for these violations range from disciplinary probation to dismissal. Organizations found responsible may lose their university registration. The SAE chapter has received at least seven sanctions from the university since 2001. Past allegations include alcohol policy violations, throwing items at pedestrians, and general code of conduct breaches. The most recent probation was a membership review ordered by the fraternity's national headquarters in May 2023. A 2013 Bloomberg article described the national fraternity as the deadliest in the country. George Limperis, president of the national fraternity, did not respond to inquiries for publication.
