The university’s investigation into a campus bondage and sado-masochism club, which has put an interim suspension on the group’s activities, is ongoing, leaving the fate of the group in the air.

Cuffs president Harlan “Duane” Long Jr., senior in psychology, said he was confident after talking with Bethany Schuttinga, director of judicial affairs and head of the investigation, the investigation would be over in time for the group to hold its first meeting of the semester. However, the investigation is still proceeding, much to his disappointment, Long said.

Following a meeting Friday, Long said Schuttinga informed him Cuffs would not be allowed to meet for its first meeting, which was scheduled for Monday, because Judicial Affairs still needs to gather information.

“I’m very disappointed with the university’s decision to continue the investigation and not allowing Cuffs to hold its first meeting Monday,” Long said. “I’ve done everything they’ve asked, and I’ve provided them with all the information I can. I’m not sure what else they want or what Ms. Schuttinga is looking for.”

Cuffs, a campus organization whose mission is to educate the campus about S&M, promote safety and create a safe community for those who practice S&M, has been investigated by the university because of concern about demonstrations performed at a Cuffs meeting Nov. 10.

The investigation was prompted by the Dec. 15 Daily article “Pain and Pleasure: The stigma over Cuffs hurts community,” which described Long demonstrating on another member how to properly use S&M toys.

Schuttinga said officials in the Judicial Affairs and Dean of Students Office were concerned the group violated Student Disciplinary Regulations by hitting a person during the demonstration.

Schuttinga said Cuffs has not been accused of violating any of the disciplinary regulations, but could be accused if the investigation finds there have been violations. She declined to comment on to which regulations might have been violated. “We don’t release disciplinary action taken against any individual or student group,” Schuttinga said.

Cuffs is under an interim suspension, which prohibits them from holding meetings, spending the organization’s money and asking for allocation of funds.

Schuttinga said she is “unable to confirm or deny” a suspension has been placed on Cuffs. However, Long said the group has been put on interim suspension.

Long said the meeting with Schuttinga didn’t provide a substantial dialogue or information on how long the investigation will continue.

“At this point, there’s not much we can do about it. We just have to wait for the investigation to conclude. Until [Schuttinga] completed the investigation, we have to remain on interim suspension.” he said. “It’s frustrating because she didn’t comment on anything more that I could do on my end to facilitate the investigation.”

Long said if members have to wait too long, they will look elsewhere for a place to go.

“My primary concern is the commitment of the members wavering as the fate of the group is now uncertain. I’d really hate for it to take so long that after weeks and weeks, we’re finally able to meet, but half of the members have left,” Long said. “Missing one meeting won’t do any significant damage to the group, it’s the worry that we can’t meet until March or April, which will have a detrimental effect on the group.”‘

After taking last year off, Long said the group had assured people it would, but with the recent suspension, the issue of continuity has been called back into question.

“I’m confident the university is just trying to perform a thorough investigation,” he said. “If the university finds we have violated a regulation, I would want to know how we are different than those groups on campus where there’s physical contact and the potential for harm.”