This story contains mention of sexual misconduct and hazing. Those in need of support can call the Ottawa Distress Centre Crisis Line: 613-238-3311, the Sexual Assault Support Center of Ottawa Crisis Line: 613-234-2266.
The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA)’s university affairs committee adopted a new Greek letter organizations policy on Jan. 17, according to documents obtained by the Charlatan.
The new policy states that operations of Greek letter organizations in the Ottawa area are incompatible with the functioning of Carleton University.
The committee passed the motion unanimously.
The motion follows the Charlatan’s Oct. 30 report, which detailed six students’ accounts of alleged hazing within Alpha Pi Phi’s (APP) Carleton chapter sorority.
The sources’ allegations include: hand-feeding ice cream to nude APP mentors; a culture of substance abuse; incidents of sexual misconduct; delayed investigations relating to these incidents; a student’s mental health decline; and performing a “sexual” dance in front of hundreds of people at an event called Greek Olympics.
The CUSA clubs certification policy was also amended to “reflect that Greek letter organizations will not be certified.”
“We don’t tolerate any form of sexual violence,” said Mohamed “Faris” Riazudden, CUSA president.
“We definitely wanted to bring in tangible, long-lasting solutions and efforts.”
Several students have criticized Riazudden’s interactions with students regarding the investigation into alleged hazing, the Charlatan reported.
“CUSA is committed to taking action on recent investigative journalism by the Charlatan on alleged hazing within Greek Letter Organizations at Carleton University,” the CUSA university affairs committee agenda said.
It also called for the university to implement a policy stating fraternities and sororities “will not be recognized.”
“Carleton University Leadership should direct the Office of Risk Management and Risk Management Committee that events, activations, or activities proposed by Greek Letter Organizations are inherently high-risk and should not be approved,” the policy read.
CUSA also issued a statement Dec. 21 addressing recent allegations of hazing within the university’s Greek life community. The statement, signed by all six members of CUSA’s executive team, called for “additional enforcement” of university policy
In an interview with the Charlatan on Jan. 18, Aiden Rohacek, chair of CUSA’s university affairs committee and CUSA associate vice-president (executive relations), said hazing in Greek life is “nothing new.”
“For many [CUSA] councillors, this is an issue,” he said. “It’s been going on for a while.”
Students have alleged to have been subjected to unsafe situations by a local Greek letter organization, according to the policy’s rationale.
“Aspects of Greek Letter Organization’s operations increase the likelihood of their members experiencing sexual harassment and/or assault, and all students who engage with Greek Letter Organization’s activities may be exposing themselves to an ‘unanticipated vulnerability to sexual victimization,’” the policy rationale continued.
In a Nov. 9 email, Carleton’s media relations officer confirmed that “Carleton University does not recognize sororities and fraternities as affiliated entities.”
“These groups are considered unofficial student organizations that operate independently off campus […] the University does not provide space for any non-accredited groups.’”
Riazudden said CUSA council will meet again on Jan. 22.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.
Updated Jan. 19, 2024, at 12:03 p.m. ET: This story was updated to reflect both of Aiden Rohacek’s positions as chair of CUSA’s university affairs committee and CUSA associate vice-president (executive relations)
