Student Judicial Services has charged a dozen students with violations of the Code of Student Conduct for their participation in Order of the Hippo rituals.
SJS received multiple complaints of hazing and underage drinking after several members of the administration-sponsored "secret" society were seen on campus April 28 with blindfolds on their eyes and mud or face paint on their bodies. Other suspected members were seen that night making speeches to the hippopotamus statue on the corner of 21st and H streets.
The following evening, the members entered the School of Media and Public Affairs building for an event that an invitation obtained by The Hatchet identified as "The Initiation Dinner for the Hippo Class of 2005."
The Order of the Hippo gathering was not registered with the Center for Alcohol and Drug Education, which requires that all on-campus events serving alcohol must receive prior approval. Bottles of wine were seen being served in the second-floor gallery of the SMPA building.
"Student Judicial Services has charged individuals with violations of the Code of Student Conduct, and disciplinary reviews for each will be conducted," University Marshal Jill Kasle wrote in an e-mail last week without disclosing names or further details. "Further, from here forward, there will be no alcohol served at any Order of the Hippo event."
"Hazing will not be tolerated," added Kasle, who in previous interviews with The Hatchet refused to admit the organization exists.
Robert Chernak, senior vice president of Student and Academic Support Services, said in an interview earlier this month that Order of the Hippo members would be sanctioned for misconduct, not the group as a whole.
Seniors Lee Roupas and Devlin Keating, both former Student Association officials, were not wearing blindfolds at the April 28 sighting of Order members in University Yard. The blindfolded group included junior Carrie Warlck, vice president for public affairs for SA President Omar Woodard; senior Christian Washington, Woodard's executive administrator; sophomore Jeff Goodman, a campaign advisor to SA President Audai Shakour; and former SA senator Josh Lasky.
SJS received multiple complaints of hazing and underage drinking after several members of the administration-sponsored "secret" society were seen on campus April 28 with blindfolds on their eyes and mud or face paint on their bodies. Other suspected members were seen that night making speeches to the hippopotamus statue on the corner of 21st and H streets.
The following evening, the members entered the School of Media and Public Affairs building for an event that an invitation obtained by The Hatchet identified as "The Initiation Dinner for the Hippo Class of 2005."
The Order of the Hippo gathering was not registered with the Center for Alcohol and Drug Education, which requires that all on-campus events serving alcohol must receive prior approval. Bottles of wine were seen being served in the second-floor gallery of the SMPA building.
"Student Judicial Services has charged individuals with violations of the Code of Student Conduct, and disciplinary reviews for each will be conducted," University Marshal Jill Kasle wrote in an e-mail last week without disclosing names or further details. "Further, from here forward, there will be no alcohol served at any Order of the Hippo event."
"Hazing will not be tolerated," added Kasle, who in previous interviews with The Hatchet refused to admit the organization exists.
Robert Chernak, senior vice president of Student and Academic Support Services, said in an interview earlier this month that Order of the Hippo members would be sanctioned for misconduct, not the group as a whole.
Seniors Lee Roupas and Devlin Keating, both former Student Association officials, were not wearing blindfolds at the April 28 sighting of Order members in University Yard. The blindfolded group included junior Carrie Warlck, vice president for public affairs for SA President Omar Woodard; senior Christian Washington, Woodard's executive administrator; sophomore Jeff Goodman, a campaign advisor to SA President Audai Shakour; and former SA senator Josh Lasky.
