Theta Delta Chi fraternity will be suspended through June 2014, followed by a probationary period until June 2016. The sanctions follow a series of hearings concerning five allegations of misconduct levied against the fraternity.
Theta Delt will be placed on social probation until June 2015 and will then face a year of College probation, during which the fraternity will be able to host social events with alcohol, College spokesperson Justin Anderson said.Anderson suggested that underage drinking was a possible reason for the sanctions.
“High-risk drinking is a serious public health issue on colleges and universities across the country,” Anderson said. “The [Organizational Adjudication Committee] found Theta Delta Chi responsible for multiple violations, and was particularly concerned by behavior that could have caused serious harm.”
Theta Delt will be required to complete educational seminars before its probation is lifted. Anderson added that the fraternity’s previous history of violations contributed to the adjudication committee’s decision to levy a lengthy punishment. Theta Delt was found guilty of violations in four or more separate hearings, according to a report from the Committee on Standards.
“Following its normal process, the OAC considered the organization’s recent history of Community Standards violations during the sanctioning phase, including violations that placed members of the community at risk,” Anderson said.
Theta Delt was put on probation for two months in the winter of 2012 in response to alcohol violations and alleged hazing. The fraternity was also put on probation for 12 weeks in the fall of 2005 following a hazing incident involving members of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Theta Delt president Todd Bracken ’14 declined to comment on the situation, saying that the fraternity needs “to learn more about the scope and impact of [their] chapter’s situation” before an official comment.
Interfraternity Council president Gunnar Shaw ’14, also a member of Theta Delt, declined to comment.
Greek Letter Organizations and Societies director Wes Schaub said he had no information concerning the incident.
Safety and Security director Harry Kinne and representatives from the Undergraduate Judicial Affairs office were could not to be reached for comment by press time.
On Oct. 12, the College placed Beta Alpha Omega fraternity on “immediate temporary suspensions” after college administrators reviewed emails obtained by Gawker.
In a statement to Dartblog, Anderson said the suspension stemmed from “an initial review of publicly available information suggesting the chapter has and is engaging in hazing activities [and] service of alcohol to minors.”
Beta can still organize social events, but all activities must be approved by Schaub, the Valley News reported.
Gawker published a document with Beta’s sink night schedule, which instructed members to ensure “All blinds must be drawn, no windows open, don’t want to be heard yelling,” and contained guidelines to run the stations that new members were passed through. The stations included rooms with themes such as “riddles,” “questions about brothers,” “shitty music,” “nice guy room,” and “anarchy,” where new members are sprayed with champagne.
The document emphasized that existing members should not force new members to drink and suggested that existing members monitor the alcohol consumption of new members.
“Be very conscious if some new members are drinking a lot,” the document said. “Never allow a new member to take more than one shot at your station. It is not worth the risk.”
