Hazing allegations raised at WSU (Theta Chi and Delta Chi)
 

Saw this story on the news tonight, but so far this is the only print news I can find on it...probably more will surface tomorrow.

Hazing allegations raised at WSU

Washington State University is removing 32 freshmen from two fraternities for their own safety after allegations of hazing, including an alleged incident that resulted in a broken jaw.

The Theta Chi and Delta Chi residents will be temporarily relocated to campus residence halls, according to a statement released late Wednesday afternoon by WSU.
http://www.lmtribune.com/breaking-news/469/

News sources have it wrong (imagine that). There was no "hazing" involved in this incident. I love how media spice things up to make their stories more 'news worthy'. Makes me wonder how many other news stories are inaccurate.
Here's another article: http://wsunews.wsu.edu/detail.asp?StoryID=6855.

I'm not sure where you're getting that there was definitively "no hazing" involved. This is clearly a very carefully worded press release from the university and greek life office to acknowledge an incident occurred and the freshmen are being relocated "for their own safety". My guess is they specifically avoided the words "haze" as well as "pledge", though they did use the word "assault" and mentioned the need for the greek community to adhere to standards that guarantee students' safety. Even if it somehow wasn't "hazing", you still have young students being subject to "assaults" somehow, one ending up with a broken jaw and the university concerned enough to whisk the freshmen off to safer havens. Still doesn't come off looking good for the greeks.

A colleges first concern is the safety of their students as it should be.

There are a lot of things thrown around but nothing of substance about what actually transpired. Sounds like maybe a fight between two Fraternities?

"If" that is the case, maybe that is why noting specific was mentioned about hazing and pledges.

there were actually multiple fights between the two house. not hazing. the media uses the term "hazing" for "desire of sensationalism"

more people will read the article if it mentions hazing. just the way it is

So, both you and the other poster know for sure that the original reporter was told that the reason was multiple fights, but they chose to say hazing instead? There's no chance that the reporter was told hazing? Reporters are losing their jobs these days over the slightest mistake in their stories. You need to call the editors and tell them.

I would bet that there have allready been phone calls to editors about this. As the reporter does not mention their source, there is no way to know who told them what, but from personal experience with reporters in reference to previous instances at WSU, they print what they think will sell a paper.

The student newspaper, the Daily Evergreen, has an article:

http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/23992

I agree that none of the reports make the fraternities (or at least some of their members) look good.

Honestly?
 

Do you honestly think that reporters don't "stretch" the facts for sensationalism? The facts are that 2 young men were brutally beaten after exchanging words at a pizza place. The Delta Chi's went back to their house, gathered up a larger group and then proceeded to beat the other 2 guys and left them bleeding on the sidewalk with severe injuries. It had nothing to do with hazing. It was not on fraternity property. It is being handled by Greek Life and by the fraternities themselves. Unfortunately, the cowards that did the beating have refused to come forward and are being protected by their "brothers." Hopefully, justice will eventually be served. The beaters will be prosecuted. In my opinion since the fraternity that was responsible for the brutality refuses to cooperate and the young cowards that are so filled with rage that they would injure a young man badly enough that he required his jaw to be wired shut have not come forward, that Delta Chi should be shut down. No amount of taunting or even property damage is an excuse or justification for the physical harm they caused. That they are still allowed to be on campus as a fraternity is beyond me. I would be totally ashamed to be a parent of a Delta Chi at Washington State.

Since I was in high school, I've heard stories about the screw ups in the fraternities at WSU. My brother later went to WSU, but never would have joined a fraternity there...he said they were "losers." Now, I haven't met many fraternity guys from WSU, but it seems like they're always getting put on probation or suspended or losing their houses, and sorry, but it takes A LOT to be seen as out-of-control and wild at WSU!

The fact that it was all freshmen is what leads me to believe it was 'hazing', an idea pushed upon them by upperclassmen.

It happens... But in this instance, no broken jaw and trip to the hospital and there would be no story.

Damn, where did all these other Cougs come from?

This is not a good semester for our Greek Community.

But I will be really surprised if one or both of these chapters doesn't close. WSU is usually pretty swift about unrecognizing chapters (Sigma Nu... Phi Sigs... etc etc)

GammaPhiBeta, spoken like a true person that knows nothing about the REAL WSU. Get real. The Greeks ARE WSU. It is an awesome school and most of the people we went to school with that are our lifelong friends from the Greek system are multimillionaires and very loyal Cougs, so I guess it can't be all bad. It started with the former President that was bound and determined to shut down the Greek system at WSU (he is of the religious persuasion that does not allow alcohol use or at least purports not to, but we all know how that goes!) It is totally ridiculous. We did way worse things than any of the houses that are getting shut down left and right are doing. Our school President at the time came to our parties. The "losers" in the dorms and apartments also did way more drugs than the Greeks. Is that better? My bet is that your brother would not have been accepted by any house, anyhow. Also, my brother was president of his frat and he was accepted into the top Dental School in the nation. My husband was also president of his fraternity and is highly successful. Okay, Gamma Phi Beta...why on earth are you on this board 24/7? No job? Nothing else to do? Are you really even in a sorority or have you just watched too much Legally Blond and Animal House? Finally, it does not take a lot to get shut down at WSU. Quite the opposite. The Greeks are the target because they are the visible group. The same thing goes on at UW. My daughter is a recent grad and sorority member. She said the Greeks were always targeted when they had absolutely nothing to do with any of the problems. They were discriminated against.

This problem is not so much a Greek thing anymore. It is a police matter. IMO, the police and the University have dropped the ball. If it was my kid that was curb stomped and has his jaw wired shut for months and cannot go back to school, you can bet I would have law enforcement and the Whitman county prosecuting attorney all over Delta Chi. I don't know why they were not shut down right away? They are not being forthcoming in who was involved. The Theta Chi's are. They have a policy that any involvement at all will result in immediate expulsion from the fraternity. I wonder if Delta Chi can say the same thing? Again, property damage and verbal taunting are not the same as beating the heck out of a kid, especially in the cowardly manner in which it was done. The D-Chi's went back to their house and rounded up several more guys and then went back to Pappa John's and beat the TWO Theta Chi's brutally. Cowards.

I am sorry for the rant. It is ridiculous to even answer ignorant comments like, "my brother would not join a frat at WSU because they were losers." That does not even merit a reply. I apologize to all the loyal Cougs. I am tired of the media and know nothings speculating and making ridiculous statements about nothing of which they have any first hand experience or knowledge.

I am really mad that both fraternities will most likely be closed down. In my mind that is condoning violence. It is okaying what Delta Chi's did by saying, well, Theta Chi's deserved what they got because they broke the glass doors at Delta Chi's. How insane? How unjust? For the record, it was only a few involved and none of my family members. They were too busy studying and working at productive things and being good fraternity brothers to be bothered by the drama of some immature and brutal jerks.

Wow, coug4lfe, SLOW DOWN. You are clearly allowed to have your opinions and defend whatever side of an argument you like, but coming on here and making direct derogatory comments to someone who's been posting here for over a year is not necessary. Why go after someone and wonder why they are on the boards however much they are -- why did YOU come here and join up just to rant? It sounds like you might have a son in one of these fraternities (Theta Chi?) and this is hitting very close to home -- got it, definitely stand up for him if you like -- but keep your head about you because otherwise people will disregard your posts and thus, your possibly valuable contribution to the discussion. PeppyGPhiB is from WA, so she is just giving her opinions (in general terms about fraternity life, not specific houses), and she's entitled to do that too.

you are wrong about most of your facts. you might want to be right before you quote things as the truth

no one got curb stomped. that would result in a broken neck, not jaw. and it wasnt a savage beating either. get your facts straight

Wow, I don't know where to start, "coug4lfe." I'm assuming you're talking to me, although my screenname is not "GammaPhiBeta."

First of all, I'm hardly ever on this board compared to many posters here. I come on for maybe a half-hour a day, if that. Perhaps you're confusing me with one of my many sisters on this board.

Second, you should work on your reading comprehension. I wrote that my brother said the fraternity guys at WSU were losers, not that I thought they were. In fact, I even said I didn't know any fraternity guys from WSU. But that doesn't mean I don't hear stories, and if all the stories I hear both by word-of-mouth and the news media are wrong, well, WSU's fraternities had better do a better job at PR. I never claimed to know a bunch of crap about the WSU fraternities, only said that I heard things...and honey, as we in the PR world say, "Word of mouth is the best medium of all."

Third, my brother transfered in to WSU as a junior after spending two years at a private school in Calif., where he rushed but decided not to accept any bids. The two of us are native Washingtonians with family that ALL went to either UW or WSU, and our high school is one of the biggest "feeders" of both greek systems. We have other greeks in our family and have good knowledge of the greek system, myself being a very active alumna of my own organization.

I'll close by saying that when I first read your posts, I thought you were a 20-year-old fraternity guy. I was stunned to see that you're a woman, and then also a parent of a college aged son. You might want to turn your juvenile "neeener neeener" rants toward the WSU administration or the two fraternities that got their chapters in this mess. I'm sure your experience as a parent has taught you that young people sometimes lie to cover the truth and that rarely are altercations one-sided.

LOL, sorry, just laffing!

20 year old female with a person in college?

Of course, I must be missing something here?;)

I thought the exact same thing! :eek::rolleyes:

REALLY???
 

to coug4life, i dont know who you think you are saying delta chi brutally beat someone and left him on the street, you along with other people \are the reason US delta chis are getting this horrible reputation...you obviously dont know what happened and should keep your mouth shut until you do. This kid was in a one on one fight and got punched not "curb stomped" he would be dead if that were the case. there were many members watching the fight that involved only around 5 to 6 men. no one was beaten to death just hit very hard in a fair fight. and if i remember correctly the kids were both on their feet yelling death threats, not lying on the ground dying. Get your facts straight and quit making up bull shit.yes i am a WSU delta chi and damn proud along with my parents. You on the other hand are pathetic and need to get a life other than spreading false rumors about something you have no idea about. The men involved in the fight were not cowards and turned their names into the police the next day. there have been repeated offenses by theta chi memebers, each one involving them coming to our property and provoking everything, it is not over just a couple broken windows they are the ones who are risking our saftey and therefor should have been the only ones moved out.

you are a horrible person, you do not know the facts so stop talking. read my reply to your ridiculous post then message me back if the facts still aren't straight.

breddi, while agree with you, and made similar comments, try to avoid personal attacks as they reduce you to the same level

you are right, it is just difficult when people start rumors over false information, i just want people to know what really happened

Considering everyone is playing the hush-hush secret game, I'm not sure we WILL find out what actually happened.

after the university finishes their investigation, the truth will come out

Update December 5, 2007

Five Delta Chis have been arrested, according to the campus paper.

http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/24221

Excerpts from article in the Evergreen:

Five Delta Chi members were arrested Tuesday for a fight in late October that sent a man from another fraternity to a Seattle hospital.

. . . The charges stem from an Oct. 27 assault . . . in which the five allegedly fought with two members of the Theta Chi fraternity. One Theta Chi member suffered three fractures of his jaw . . . . The 20-year-old could have permanent nerve damage from the altercation, according to the police.

The arrests were the culmination of a monthlong investigation . . . .

Delta Chi President Branden Daubel said the fraternity’s judicial process is moving forward, along with a university Student Conduct investigation. The chapter is consulting with alumni and the national organization to decide what should happen with the members.

“There’s definitely people not coming back to the house next semester,” Daubel said. . . .

Update December 7 '07: Article with Details of Several Incidents

The campus paper reports on sanctions for code of conduct violations. The article describes various incidents involving the two fraternities:

http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/24249

Among the incidents reported in more detail:

* A couple of fights at the WSU vs. San Diego State football game: ". . . the board determined fraternity members, including minors, had been drinking. "

* A fight on September 28 at "an unregistered date dash" party sponsored / hosted by the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority

* A fight outside a pizza place (this is the incident where a Theta Chi member's jaw was fractured)

This has to be one of the stupidous things I have ever seen a Greek or Greek Organizations do!:mad: