University statement on student concerns regarding alleged hazing activity

March 9, 2021

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – On behalf of Bowling Green State University, Alex Solis, deputy chief of staff and University spokesperson, issued the following statement:

“Nearly 75 students from across our community came together today to grieve the tragic loss of Stone Foltz and peacefully express their voices. Many of them shared personal experiences and concerns.

We hear them. We support them, and we share in their outrage about the alleged hazing activity from Thursday night. Hazing in any form has no place at BGSU.

Immediately upon learning of the incident last week, Bowling Green State University placed Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on interim suspension. Following that action, we suspended all new member intake processes and on- and off-campus social events for Greek life and also announced plans to work with third parties to conduct a comprehensive review of all student organizations and activities for more accountability and transparency.

During today's events, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner joined a virtual meeting of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, which included BGSU President Rodney Rogers and all other presidents of all the state’s public universities. BGSU appreciates their deep care and attention to this tragic alleged hazing situation. BGSU also joins statewide support of Collin's Law, legislation that ensures Ohio is a hazing-free state and elevates severe consequences for those unacceptable actions. We also appreciate the support of our legislative delegation, including Sen. Theresa Gavarone, Rep. Haraz Ghanbari and Rep. D.J. Swearingen of this issue.”

***ON BACKGROUND – ACTIONS TAKEN BY BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY***

  • BGSU is continuing to work with local law enforcement, who are actively taking the lead in investigating these unfolding events. We are also pursuing our own student code of conduct investigation.
  • BGSU has placed Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on interim suspension. At this time, the fraternity is not currently recognized as a registered student organization. We have removed the fraternity’s Greek letters from its on-campus residence and removed all reference to the fraternity as a student organization on our website.
  • BGSU has suspended all new member intake processes and on- and off-campus social events of chapters in all four Greek councils, including the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and College Panhellenic Conference.
  • All day on Saturday, student leaders from the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, College Panhellenic Conference, Undergraduate Student Government and the undergraduate student representative to the Board of Trustees worked with staff members to begin to address the short- and long-term future of fraternity and sorority life at Bowling Green State University.
  • BGSU continues its work with Greek student leaders and consulting with third parties to conduct a comprehensive review of all student organizations and activities for more accountability and transparency.

Updated: 03/18/2021 05:32PM