KNOXVILLE (AP) — The oldest fraternity chapter at the University of Tennessee has been suspended for five years over repeated hazing and alcohol violations, the university says.
Alpha Tau Omega will be suspended until the fall 2026 semester, university spokesperson Tyra Haag told the Knoxville News Sentinel. Its fraternity house will be closed, and students must move out by Dec. 10.
Frank Cuevas, the university's vice chancellor for student life, said in a statement that the decision was made with the fraternity's national organization.
Before the suspension on Monday, Alpha Tau Omega's national headquarters initially paused the chapter's operations on Oct. 29 for breaking health and safety rules. Infractions were related to hazing, alcohol, fire safety and violations of previous disciplinary sanctions, according to the website for the university's Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life.
The fraternity also violated hazing standards in October 2020 and was placed on disciplinary probation. Social events were restricted, and members were required to attend a series of educational sessions.
It broke rules related to alcohol and hazing multiple times throughout 2018 and 2019, the Sorority & Fraternity Life website says.
Founded in 1872, the chapter was the first fraternity on the Knoxville campus.