At least one Belmont fraternity is currently under investigation by the university.
Micah Roeder, Director of Chapter services at Alpha Tau Omega’s national office, confirmed to the Vision on Oct. 24 that the Belmont chapter of ATO was being investigated by Belmont’s administration.
Roeder said he could not further comment on the specifics of the investigation.
Rumors are swirling around Belmont that Greek organizations other than ATO are also currently under investigation.
The Vision could not verify whether or not any other Greek organizations are being investigated.
Provost Dr. Thomas Burns said he could not comment because he did not want to interfere with any investigations that may or may not be happening, but referred the Vision specifically to Belmont’s fraternities.
“If you contact the fraternities they would be able to tell you whether or not they are under investigation, if they wished,” Burns said.
Patrick Williamson, president of Belmont’s ATO chapter, said chapter bylaws prevent him from discussing further details.
Belmont Phi Kappa Tau president Austin Coleman also had no comment on whether or not his organization is under investigation, while multiple phone calls and emails to Phi Tau’s national office went unreturned.
The October investigation follows a separate ATO investigation that occurred after a New Year’s Eve Party in January that resulted in ATO being suspended from spring recruitment. Phi Tau was then required to accept 100 percent of students who attended spring recruitment, met academic standards and were not in violation of the Community Code of Conduct — in line with a Belmont policy.
In April, Phi Tau and ATO released a social media petition, publicly challenging that policy.
Both fraternities’ national offices entered discussions with the university regarding the policy over the summer. Phi Tau and ATO resumed normal activities in the fall.
It is unclear at this time what sparked ATO’s October investigation.
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This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Written by Harrison Baldwin and Bronte Lebo.
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