Hazing: Fraternity Banned For Paddling, Sonoma State Says

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A Sonoma State University fraternity has been banned from the campus for five years after being investigated for hazing recruits, university officials said Friday. Students at a Tau Kappa Epsilon informal chapter event Nov. 20 were allegedly paddled and intimidated, according to the university.

A joint investigation by the university's office of student conduct and TKE's international office concluded the hazing actions occurred, according to a news release from campus officials.

The paddling and intimidation were deemed violations of Sonoma State's student code and California State Title V, resulting in the suspension of the Tau-Beta chapter of TKE from the university, campus officials said.

The fraternity's suspension became effective Friday, Feb. 1 and runs through on Jan. 31, 2024.

"Sonoma State takes pride in being a leader in higher education that supports student success, and we simply will not tolerate blatant violations of our student code," said SSU Dean of Students Ryan Jasen Henne.

There are more than 1,500 student members of fraternities and sororities at the campus, Henne said.

The dean said members of the campus community are expected to be engaged citizens, to be civil to one another and to contribute positively to student and university life, and to uphold the Seawolf Commitment demonstrating: Integrity, Respect, Excellence and Responsibility.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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