The Organizational Adjudication Committee suspended Kappa Kappa Kappa fraternity for three terms, beginning this past fall, after the fraternity admitted to multiple violations of the College’s hazing and alcohol policy. A police investigation into the fraternity’s conduct is ongoing according to Hanover Police lieutenant Scott Rathburn.
The suspension, which ends on June 21, will be followed by four terms of alcohol probation and then two terms of College probation, according to a Feb. 18 statement from College spokesperson Diana Lawrence. The alcohol probation will end on June 20, 2019 and the following College probation will end on Jan. 6, 2020.
The Hanover Police Department began an investigation into Tri-Kap’s activities on Sept. 20., Rathburn said. The Hanover Fire Department initially reported Tri-Kap to Hanover Police after discovering “the interference of [a] fire alarm apparatus,” he said.
Hanover deputy fire chief Michael Hinsley said he then advised Hanover Police to begin an investigation. Rathburn declined to comment on the current status of the investigation, as it is still ongoing.
Interfering or tampering with a fire alarm apparatus is a Class B felony offense, per New Hampshire statute 644:3-c. After the police investigation ends, the Grafton County Attorney’s Office will determine if the charges are appropriate and decide whether to indict specific people or an organization, which would begin the felony process.
An individual found guilty of a Class B felony could face, apart from a fine, one to seven years in prison, and an organization could face a monetary fine.
According to director of Judicial Affairs Katharine Strong, Tri-Kap’s policy violations took place sometime between the end of September and the beginning of October, when the College investigation began. Both Rathburn and Strong said there was no significant recent disciplinary history that played into the decision to suspend Tri-Kap.
Once the Office of Judicial Affairs concluded its investigation at the end of fall term, the OAC reviewed the report in its entirety and determined which allegations would go forward, Strong said. The OAC then notified Tri-Kap of the allegations against it, and the fraternity had a chance to respond to those concerns.
Following winter break, Tri-Kap and the OAC met at the start of January to begin the hearing process to determine whether Tri-Kap violated College policies, and if so, to determine sanctions. Both parties had the opportunity to review all the materials, and Tri-Kap responded to the allegations. Deliberations concluded by the end of January, Strong said.
The College’s disciplinary procedures state that the suspension of a student organization requires the cessation of activities. Alcohol probation prevents student organizations from hosting or sponsoring events where alcohol is served. College probation may include prevention of participation in College-sponsored activities, such as intramural sports, among other restrictions.
Tri-Kap is not the only Greek organization that has been suspended by the College this academic term. Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity was suspended for one term this winter for violations of the College’s alcohol policy while on College probation. Sig Ep will also face two terms of alcohol probation, which will conclude at the end of the summer 2018 term, according to Lawrence.
In the past, several organizations have been sanctioned for allegations of hazing. Tabard gender-inclusive fraternity was suspended for three terms in 2016 for hazing, alcohol and recruiting allegations. Last year, the women’s swimming and diving team was placed on probation and banned from three fall 2017 meets after violating the College’s hazing policy.
Tri-Kap extended 21 bids this fall and none this winter.
President of Tri-Kap Jonathan Schwartz ’18, chairman and vice-chairman of the Tri-Kap Board of Directors, Gregory Smith ’85 and Michael Brasher ’10, respectively, did not respond to multiple requests for comment by press time. Interim director of Safety and Security Keysi Montás and director of the Office of Greek Life Brian Joyce declined to comment.
Jasmine is a freshman from Seoul, South Korea. Jasmine plans to major in Government or Sociology at Dartmouth, and also has an interest in Economics and French. Jasmine decided to join the D because of her love of writing and of the life experiences she learned from being the editor on her high school paper. In her spare time, Jasmine likes to travel and learn about different cultures, especially through cuisine, architecture and fashion.
