Ohio U issues professional engineering fraternity cease and desist order

Theta Tau, a professional engineering fraternity, received a cease and desist order Friday, according to Ohio University’s Student Organization Status website.

The organization is now under “Conduct Review” by the university, according to the website.

Theta Tau joins business fraternities Alpha Kappa Psi and Phi Chi Theta on the list of professional fraternities that have been suspended in recent weeks. The details of the allegations brought against Theta Tau aren’t known.

The organization’s suspension follows the university’s release last week of more than 30 documents containing hazing allegations made against several Greek life and student organizations.

The university’s investigation into suspended groups has made headway in recent days. Both the Theta Chi and Delta Tau Delta investigations by the university were completed, and both have resulted in a “reprimand” being issued against these groups, according to the webpage.

A reprimand is denoted on the website as an “official notification of unacceptable behavior and violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct. Any further misconduct may result in more serious disciplinary sanctions.” Reprimands have no end date, according to the website.

Theta Chi and Delta Tau Delta are both alleged to have hazed new members by making them carry a small fruit — like a blueberry, lemon or lime — on them at all times. 

When an initiated member saw the new members carrying the fruit they are able to take the snack or smack it out of their hands. The new member is then required to carry incrementally larger pieces of fruit around campus, progressing to a watermelon.

Ben Peters contributed to this report.