A fraternity at Ohio State University has been temporarily suspended while authorities investigate a video that appears to show two panicked men engulfed in flames.
A video shared on social media shows one individual with his sweatpants on fire who then lunges at a second individual and tackles him to the ground. The second man’s clothing also catches fire, and they both roll on the ground while removing their clothes as several onlookers intervene.
University spokesperson Benjamin Johnson said Ohio State placed Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension while it investigates and has referred the matter to the university and Columbus police.
“The university is aware of this extremely concerning incident, and the individuals in question are receiving medical care,” Johnson said in a statement. “Ohio State is committed to a safe and healthy environment and expects students and student organizations to uphold that commitment and the university’s values.”
I’m always surprised that fraternities have like, CEOs and stuff. And that this one would have nothing useful to say is hilariously expected. Why even ask him, you think he’s gonna be like “oh ya we encourage a little creativity in the hazing, I mean pledge process”.
When part of the whole apparatus is doing stupid things and wanting to avoid stupid prizes, of course there’s a full corporate structure. Much like a corporation rarely enjoys efficiency because that threatens middle-management, actually getting the chapters to change their behaviour is a bridge too far, so it’s a “nudge, nudge, wink, wink” thing of “we’re shocked by the actions I personally engaged in 30 years ago without getting a reprimand, and this will not stand so long as anyone’s still paying attention.”
Greek Row during my college years was known less for setting people on fire and more for photos of pledges in highly sexualized positions with fraternity members. Oh, and there were a number of falls from balconies.
