Hazing Transparency
Hazing is against University policy and should be reported. Vanderbilt’s efforts to prevent hazing are robust; however, when incidents do occur, the University shares information through this website and the University’s Annual Security Report to keep members of our campus community safe and informed. To learn more about hazing prevention and education, visit the Hazing Prevention website.
Listed below are student organizations that have been suspended or expelled from the University and are not currently recognized. The Hazing Transparency Report, which follows, provides information about any Registered Student Organization (RSO) that has been found responsible for hazing since January 2025 or that has sanctions in place beyond January 2025.
Unrecognized, Suspended, or Expelled Organizations
All RSOs affiliated with the University are granted certain privileges and the ability to operate, as described in the Student Organization Administration section of the Student Handbook. The following student organizations are not currently recognized by the University, are not approved to operate as a student organization, and hold no privileges as described in the Student Organization Administration section because of hazing and other violations of University policy.
Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) was suspended for hazing and other violations of University policy in Spring 2021. While the DKE chapter was initially eligible to return from suspension in 2023, the University and the national organization have not yet planned a return for the chapter due to continued issues with unsanctioned organization activity. DKE is not a recognized organization at the University at this time.
Sigma Chi was suspended for hazing and other violations of University policy in Spring 2023 and is unable to return to active, recognized status until Spring 2027. The University and Sigma Chi have planned a return for the chapter for Spring 2027.
Hazing Transparency Report
Incident Date(s): September 22, 2025 through September 28, 2025
Investigation Timeline: September 28, 2025 through October 13, 2025 (Vanderbilt investigation); October 6, 2025 through October 31, 2025 (Kappa Alpha Headquarters Investigation)
Interim Measures: Interim Restriction to cease all chapter operations until Accountability process concluded unless supervised by coaches/advisors
Nature of the Incident: New members were hazed through forced exercise and the required completion of tasks/subservience across the start of New Member Education. During the investigation, it was also learned members had been recruited with alcohol at social functions.
Accountability Meeting Date: November 10, 2025
Outcome Letter Date: November 12, 2025
Finding: Responsible for hazing, violation of new member education, and alcohol at recruitment events
Sanction: Restriction on social events with alcohol until January 29, 2026; Organizational Probation until the end of the Spring 2026 semester; Educational requirements addressing hazing, risk, and leadership/culture.
Incident Date(s): September 13, 2025
Investigation Timeline: September 16, 2025 through September 17, 2025
Interim Measures: Interim Restriction to cease contact with new members of the organization until Accountability process concluded unless supervised by coaches/advisors
Nature of the Incident: New members were hazed by being intimidated to keep an item for a length of time to prove responsibility and earn the opportunity to not face a task later and other intimidating messaging that could lead to the fear of new member hazing coming; On September 13, 2025, alcohol was furnished (not forced) to new members under 21 years of age resulting in intoxication
Accountability Meeting Date: September 25, 2025
Outcome Letter Date: September 25, 2025
Finding: Responsible for hazing, funding and furnishing alcohol, and having alcohol at new member event
Sanction: Restriction on social events with alcohol until November 10, 2025; Organizational Probation until the end of the Fall 2025 semester; Educational requirements addressing new member activities, hazing, and alcohol
Incident Date(s): September 6, 2025
Investigation Timeline: September 8, 2025 through September 11, 2025
Interim Measures: Interim Restriction to cease contact with new members of the organization until Accountability process concluded
Nature of the Incident: New members were hazed through participation in an off-campus retreat on September 6 where a live vote on their membership was conducted in an intimidating way and with small daily tasks (texting requirements); at that same retreat, alcohol was furnished (not forced) to new members under 21 years of age at a new member activity
Accountability Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
Outcome Letter Date: September 17, 2025
Finding: Responsible for hazing, furnishing alcohol, and having alcohol at new member event
Sanction: Restriction on social events with alcohol until October 15, 2025; Organizational Probation until the end of the Fall 2025 semester; Educational requirements addressing new member activities, hazing, and alcohol
Incident Date(s): February 12, 2025
Investigation Timeline: February 12, 2025 through February 15, 2025
Interim Measures: Required to complete new member education activities within 24 hours of notice
Nature of the Incident: New members were hazed through sleep deprivation and the chapter had new member education activities past the midnight deadline after a previous warning.
Accountability Meeting Date: February 25, 2025
Outcome Letter Date: March 19, 2025
Finding: Responsible for hazing and failing to comply with directives
Sanction: Restriction on social events with alcohol until April 7, 2025; Organizational Probation until September 30, 2025; Robust educational requirements addressing recruitment, membership, hazing, and alcohol
*Note: Investigation Timeline refers to the primary investigation and the review of reported evidence, efforts to corroborate reports, meetings with witnesses and impacted parties, etc. Investigative steps continue through the organization’s Accountability Meeting Date. There may be a delay between the Accountability Meeting Date and the Outcome Letter Date as Vanderbilt University and national organizations may work together to jointly present outcomes and ensure language alignment across communications.