Technically, have they been suspended yet? It doesn’t look like they have.
"The university filed disciplinary charges against 18 students after the videos surfaced last week. SU previously said it removed students from classes during judiciary proceedings “out of an abundance of caution and concern.”
“Syracuse University does not comment on the specifics of pending litigation. The University stands by the actions it took to protect the well-being of the campus community and maintain a respectful and safe learning environment.”
“The lawsuit also claims that SU placed the students “on an unauthorized, improper ‘suspension’ without cause.””
From a different article in Daily Orange:
“Those 18 individuals have also been removed from academic participation out of an “abundance of caution” and concern for the university community, Maldonado said. Alternate class and study arrangements will be made for those students during the university’s judicial process, the chief said.”
http://dailyorange.com/2018/04/complaints-filed-18-people-present-theta-tau-event/
And in regards to the claim of branding: “Dean of Students Robert Hradsky on Sunday night said Syracuse University will not publicly release names of the students who are suspended, expelled or acquitted of code of conduct charges in relation to the university’s investigation into the Theta Tau fraternity.”
http://dailyorange.com/2018/04/su-will-not-publicly-release-names-students-theta-tau-investigation/
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Not letting the students attend classes for safety reasons is different than actually suspending them. Even the lawsuit puts “suspension” in quotes.
Here’s the Student Code of Conduct. I think there are parts that could apply to violations by the students in question.
http://studentconduct.syr.edu/_documents/StudentConductSystemHandbook2016%20-%202017.pdf