Hazing Transparency Report - Published December 18, 2025
Name of Student Organization:
Theta Chi Fraternity (SUNY Cortland Chapter)
Description (incident details, violations, imposed sanctions, and timeline):
It was alleged that on April 2,2025 new members of the SUNY Cortland Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity went to a local business to steal property, at the direction of the fraternity, and as a criterion for membership. It was also alleged that new members removed property, without permission of the owners, from the premises of that business both this year, and in previous years, storing the stolen property at a residence associated with members of the fraternity. It was also alleged that during the spring 2025 semester the SUNY Cortland Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity required new members to complete a scavenger hunt, earning points as a team for completing tasks provided to them by the fraternity. It was further alleged that ineligible individuals were recruited to participate in the new member process during the Spring 2025 semester. Through the University’s investigation, it was determined that a hazing violation did occur and the organization was sanctioned as follows:
- Disciplinary Probation from July 23, 2025 to December 31, 2026
- Restriction on New Members:
- The organization is not allowed to rush, conduct any new member education, and/or initiate new members from July 23, 2025 through the end of the spring 2026 semester.
- Membership Review to be completed by December 5, 2025:
- Members of the Theta Chi International Headquarters staff will conduct a membership review of all active members of the SUNY Cortland Chapter of Theta Chi. Continuing members must meet Theta Chi minimum standards for membership.
- Member Training to be completed by December 5, 2025:
- Theta Chi International Headquarters staff will re/train/coach members in the following areas:
- Officer duties
- Chapter operations
- Recruitment (e.g., year-round recruitment)
- Safety standards
- Holding members accountable
- Campus engagement
- Sacred Purpose® Health and Safety topics
- Hazing prevention
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Fire and life safety
- Sexual misconduct prevention
- Suicide prevention and mental health awareness
- New Member Education Program Plan:
- Theta Chi must work with the Theta Chi International Headquarters to develop a new member education program.
- New Member Program:
- Theta Chi must conduct all new member education and initiation at an on-campus location for two years after receiving permission to restart accepting new members. New members will not be permitted at the chapter house (official or unofficial) Campus officials will have the authority to drop in and observe the education at any time, unannounced.
- Chapter Presentation:
- During the Spring 2026 Semester, the chapter must make a presentation (to the Student Conduct Office and SUNY Cortland Greek Advisor) outlining the lessons learned from the chapter’s history of hazing, accepting ineligible members, hosting parties/noise violations as well as the detailed plan for New Member Education moving forward. This must be completed prior to any New Member Education.
- Theta Chi International Headquarters staff will re/train/coach members in the following areas:
The incident was first reported to the Cortland County Sherrif’s Office on April 2, 2025. The University received information from the Cortland County Sherrif’s Office on May 30, 2025, and initiated an investigation. Additional information from the Sherrif’s Office was received on July 3, 2025. The investigation ended on July 23, 2025, with a finding that a hazing violation occurred. The University provided notice to Theta Chi Fraternity on July 23, 2025, regarding the finding that a hazing violation occurred. The sanctions outlined above were included in that notice.