USC Suspends Fraternity for 5 Years

Alpha Tau Omega CEO says punishment was unfair.

The University of Southern California (USC) pulled recognition of the Zeta Beta chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity Monday for five years after two separate cases of sexual assault in 2013 and 2014, despite objections from the national chapter.

After an extensive investigation by the university’s Title IX office, a decision was made for the suspension, according to the Daily Trojan. Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity CEO Wynn Smiley disputed the findings. He says USC couldn’t establish that a fraternity member violated the student code, adding that the university was punishing the 109 members who had no involvement with the allegations and “one person was judge and executioner.”

Dr. Ainsley Carry, the USC Provost for Student Affairs, says Smiley’s claims aren’t true. The Title IX coordinator oversaw the outcome of the investigation, sent it to the Student Behavior Appeals Panel, made of two of faculty members and one staff member for review. Smiley said the final step was for a thorough review by vice-president for student review.

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