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Phi Delta Theta fraternity suspended
William
L. Riley, dean of students (217) 333-2121
11/1/2001
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In
early September, because of allegations of hazing, the Phi Delta Theta
Fraternity at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was suspended
by William L. Riley, the dean of students, and the fraternity’s
General Headquarters in Oxford, Ohio. During the suspension, the fraternity
was not permitted to conduct any operations, including membership recruitment,
pending a hearing with the university’s Board of Fraternity Affairs.
Acting as the UI fraternity disciplinary body, the Board of Fraternity
Affairs, consisting of students, faculty, staff and community members,
reviewed the allegations and a formal response from the alumni and undergraduate
members of the fraternity at a Sept. 20 hearing. The board found, based
upon the allegations and admissions to certain allegations by the chapter,
that hazing violations had taken place during the spring and fall 2001
semesters.
The board determined that the charter of Phi Delta Theta be temporarily
revoked pending the completion of membership interviews conducted by
Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters and the development of a new member
education plan that is based on a zero-tolerance hazing policy.
Once these two conditions of continuance are met, it will be determined
by the alumni and General Headquarters of Phi Delta Theta if the suspension
should be lifted.
Once this is determined, the following conditions will be placed on
the fraternity: an oversight committee will be developed consisting
of representatives of the University of Illinois and Phi Delta Theta
alumni; a social activities and intramural sports ban will be in place
through the spring 2002 semester; each member must perform 50 hours
of community service during the 2002 spring and fall semesters; and,
members will coordinate a fall 2002 presentation on hazing for the 53
fraternities of Greek Community.
The development of an internal judicial board and active involvement
by the General Headquarters in the new member education program are
also conditions that must be met for Phi Delta Theta to continue to
remain a part of the Greek community.
Upon the completion of the various conditions, the fraternity will remain
on probationary status with the university and its General Headquarters
through the fall 2004 semester. Membership recruitment will be allowed
beginning during the spring 2002 semester if the revised membership
education training program is accepted by the Oversight Committee and
the fraternity’s General Headquarters.
The chapter will only be allowed to remain on campus if General Headquarters
and the alumni believe there are individuals dedicated to transform
the fraternity. Such transformation will involve an assessment of current
new member activities and the development of a new program to ensure
the abolition of hazing.
Dan Deneen, former Housing Corp. president, represented the fraternity
at the hearing. "The university and the Board of Fraternity Affairs
issued a decision which recognizes the seriousness and unacceptability
of hazing to the University of Illinois," he said. "The willingness
of the chapter members to assume responsibility for the past actions
and chapter and alumni initiative in developing a new program which
does not tolerate hazing provides an opportunity for Phi Delta Theta
to resume its role as a leader in the fraternity community at Illinois.
There is no appeal of the decision, rather, our energies are focused
on the future and identifying men who want to be part of the new tradition
Phi Delta Theta will build beginning now."
Riley, who attended the Board of Fraternity Affairs hearing, said: "The
men of Phi Delta Theta have been advised by the University of Illinois,
Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters, and the alumni that hazing will
not be tolerated in any manner, and that subsequent violations will
undoubtedly result in a summary closing of the chapter by the University
of Illinois and Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters."
