HAMDEN, Conn. — An investigation into hazing allegations at Quinnipiac University prompted it to temporarily shut down a fraternity, expel a student and suspend two other frat members, university officials said Tuesday.
Officials at the private university, known for its political polling institute, declined to release details of the accusations involving Tau Kappa Epsilon, including where and when the misconduct is alleged to have occurred and what is said to have happened.
The national office of Tau Kappa Epsilon, based in Indianapolis, said it was helping Quinnipiac with its investigation.
“Tau Kappa Epsilon has a zero tolerance policy regarding hazing,” it said in a statement. “We will hold individuals found responsible for violating that policy accountable for their actions.”
Quinnipiac, which has 6,500 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students and campuses in Hamden and North Haven, issued a cease and desist order to the local Tau Kappa Epsilon chapter prohibiting it from operating until the student disciplinary process is complete, said Lynn Bushnell, the university’s vice president of public affairs.
Bushnell said in a statement that other fraternity members have been sanctioned and several more will face the disciplinary process.
“With the safety and security of our students being paramount,” Bushnell said, “the university will simply not tolerate hazing of any kind by any group or individual and will act swiftly to remove those held responsible from the community.”
