Theta Chi fraternity chapter at FSU suspended, under investigation
Florida State University’s Gamma Rho Chapter of the Theta Chi fraternity has been suspended and an investigation is underway.
The investigation and recent suspension come as videos of purported brawls between fraternity members and other individuals near campus circulated on social media over the weekend. They include a recent altercation on College Avenue and a years-old fracas in which men were seen pouncing on each other before being broken up by law enforcement.
Officials did not answer questions about what led to the suspension.
“The Gamma Rho Chapter at Florida State University was placed on interim suspension by Theta Chi Fraternity while an investigation is conducted into alleged violations of the Fraternity’s policies,” the Theta Chi Fraternity International Headquarters said in a statement sent to the Tallahassee Democrat Tuesday night.
“Theta Chi staff members are in contact with Florida State University administrators and will take appropriate action based upon the results of the investigation.”
No other details were released.
An FSU Fraternity and Sorority Life scorecard of the current standing of Greek-letter organizations shows that the Theta Chi fraternity chapter has been issued an “Interim Health & Safety Action (IHSA), which is a measure taken to protect the health or safety of individuals involved in an incident during an investigation,” according to the university’s Student Conduct Code.
A university spokesperson could not say specifically when the fraternity was suspended, but confirmed the investigation in a statement.
“IHSAs are put in place immediately by the university when reports of misconduct are received, reviewed and it has been determined that a risk to the campus community might exist,” the FSU spokesperson told the Democrat Wednesday.
The temporary suspension also makes the Theta Chi chapter at FSU – which consists of 225 members – one of just two organizations on the scorecard’s list that are not in good standing, with the other being a Delta Chi fraternity chapter on “Disciplinary Probation.”
As the investigation is underway, the IHSA prevents FSU’s Theta Chi fraternity chapter from functioning or participating in any events on or off campus, which includes holding chapter meetings, serving on a council’s executive board, using university facilities and participating in university-sponsored events or functions, according to an FSU spokesperson.
As recently as late January, the frat was holding its spring rush of pledges and introducing its new executive board.
While the university conducts its own investigation based on the Student Conduct Code, police appear to also be involved though it is unclear if FSU police or the Tallahassee Police Department is leading any investigation.
When asked for an incident report pertaining to a fight involving Theta Chi frat members, FSUPD responded that the agency “cannot release this information at this time.” The agency cited a broad public records exemption that shields the release of records related to open and ongoing investigations.
Reporter Elena Barrera and FSView journalists Isabella Ensign and Samson McCarthy contributed to this report. Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Theta Chi fraternity at Florida State suspended, under investigation
