Both Delta Delta Delta sorority and Theta Delta Chi fraternity are being investigated by the Hanover Police for allegations that they violated the New Hampshire hazing statute during a Tri-Delt pledge event at Theta Delt.
Police have been investigating the case since the College uncovered information in the course of its own investigation a few weeks ago and turned over the case to town authorities, as required by New Hampshire law.
With the College investigation on hold, police are pursuing all leads, said Hanover Police Chief Nicholas Giaccone.
The investigation has yet to reveal who is at fault for the incident, and the police are currently examining both Tri-Delt and Theta Delt's roles in the event.
"We're looking into to it to determine the culpability and have not eliminated one house or the other," said Giaccone.
Tri-Delt National's General Counsel, Vincent Slusher, said he was not aware that the chapter was under investigation by the police.
"We have not been contacted by the Hanover police," he said. "I don't know who the police are investigating."
Should Tri-Delt be found to have violated organizational bylaws prohibiting hazing, action on the part of the national organization would depend on the particular facts and circumstances of the incident, said Slusher.
"There are a number of options and alternatives available to the organization," he said. "Tri-Delt National has acted strongly in dealing with instances where the facts are clear, and hazing would be a serious violation."
He declined to specify what action the organization has taken in other similar incidents.
The College notified Tri-Delt's national organization of the alleged complaints, prompting it to send a representative to campus to work with local and state authorities.
But Theta Delt's national organization remains in the dark about the event.
Aside from receiving the same letter the Office of Residential life sent to Theta Delt and Tri-Delt members and their families, the College has not communicated with Theta Delt's national organization about the investigation, said William McClung, Executive Director of the Theta Delta Chi educational foundation.
McClung said he wished the College would fill him in.
"I have never received a letter like that in my life -- one that said something had happened but didn't even say what it is, when it happened, or to whom it happened," McClung said. "I would hope at one point I would be told what's going on."
He said that until the College gives him some details, he is unable to take action.
McClung finds the ambiguity surrounding the incident and the lack of disclosure of essential information odd. "Why is this all being concealed," he said, "especially since [Deb] Carney stated there was no physical injury involved. I would presume this would be a Tri-Delt problem. I'm not sure where the Theta Delta Chi involvement comes in."
Theta Delta Chi national expects its' chapters to obey state, college and organizational policies and has the power to sanction or revoke charters -- as it did at Lehigh University -- in instances where chapters have run afoul of these policies.
However, the national organization currently has no reason to invoke such actions, as they remain unsure if there is a basis to do so, McClung said.
According to the College's Nov. 5 letter, Tri-Delt pledges were at Theta Delt for a new member activity. Deb Carney, Director of Coed, Fraternity, Sorority, Undergraduate and Senior Society Administration would not comment on what made the acitivity unacceptable, but identified appropriate new member activities as "any activity that supports the creed, ideals and values of an organization."
Giaccone also said that the context of the situation must be considered when determining if an activity violates the New Hampshire statute on hazing. The Tri-Delt CD that was allegedly part of the new member activity has been handed over to the police, said President of Theta Delt Matt Nicholson '05.
College Director of Media Relations Roland Adams would not speculate as to what infractions on the part of a Greek house would necessitate de-recognition.
However, Dartmouth derecognized Zeta Psi fraternity in 2001 after the College investigation found the fraternity guilty of allegations that did not incur criminal charges.
An individual found responsible for hazing under the New Hampshire statute faces a misdemeanor charge of $2000 and/or up to a year in prison.
If it is decided that an organization as a unit should be charged, then the police will consult with the county attorney, Giaccone said.
