Dean of students places co-op on probation
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/08/2007
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Glenwood Cooperative House was put on probation Wednesday for hazing after an investigation and hearing conducted by the Office of the Dean of Students.
The women's cooperative, 503 University St., was placed on probation until the fall 2008 semester after being found to have hazed new members.
Women at the house reportedly deprived new members of sleep, made mandatory attendance at social functions, blindfolded members and took them to an unknown fraternity house where they told members to perform demeaning activities.
Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students, said Purdue takes all hazing violations seriously, which resulted in Glenwood's probation.
"We hope this probationary period provides a learning opportunity for the organization and that the members become more responsible and better leaders," he said in a press release.
Stipulations to the cooperative's probationary period have been given, Malavenda said.
"If the organization fails to comply with established rules, this most likely will result in stricter sanctions, such as suspension or withdrawal of recognition."
Jim Sprinkles, house adviser and counselor in the department of computer graphics technology, said the women of Glenwood got caught between trying to maintain house tradition and guarding against hazing.
"They have been actively working to try to keep ahead of those regulations and rules (about hazing)," he said. "It's just one of those things that the curve kind of passed us. The girls didn't do enough to make sure they didn't cross that line."
Colete Wisehart, president of the cooperative, echoed Sprinkles, saying the women were trying to preserve tradition in their pledge activities.
"We are just actively working with the dean of students to work through this and make sure that we achieve whatever they want us to do so that this is not an issue," she said.