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A video shared on social media shows a large group of people
standing outside, many wearing the school's red and white
colors, laughing and shouting while a man sits on the ground
with his sweatpants on fire. He then lunges at a second person
and tackles him. The second man's clothing also catches fire,
and they both roll on the ground removing their clothes as
several onlookers intervene. One appears to be holding a small
fire extinguisher.
University spokesperson Benjamin Johnson said the school has
placed Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on interim suspension
while it investigates, and has referred the matter to university
and Columbus police. The university did not say how the
fraternity is linked to the event, whether the burned men are
students or what condition they were in Monday.
“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.”
Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert said it appears the matter took
place on Saturday. Police did not receive any calls for service
at the location, but someone called police Sunday evening
reporting that the video was circulating online, he said.
Steve Mitchell, CEO of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said behavior that
violates its high standards has no place in its organization and
it will take appropriate action to hold those responsible
accountable based on the investigation.
“We take this matter seriously and are actively investigating
the circumstances surrounding the incident while working closely
with university officials and local law enforcement,” he said in
a statement.
More than 60,000 students are enrolled at the university.
The episode comes as fraternities are back in the national
spotlight in the wake of a former Cornell University student's
lawsuit saying she was gang raped at a fraternity party in 2024.
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Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
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