[IowaHawkeye]

Alum files complaint against frat's Web site


By Gian Sachdev




The Daily Iowan



A UI alumnus filed a sexual-harassment complaint against the Phi Delta Theta fraternity Monday, alleging that the organization's Web site degrades women and sexually abused children.

Cedar Rapids resident Dennis Hill, 43, a former pledge of Phi Delta Theta, said some of the site's awards for its members, including "Slut of the Year" and "Pedophile of the Year," dehumanize women and mock child molestation. He is asking the university to shut down the Web site or work out the issue with fraternity members.

"Mocking crimes against children and demeaning women is just plain sick," Hill said. "This site shows the incredibly dangerous potential of these individuals."

He accessed the list of awards at the bottom of the fraternity's "Chapter Minutes" section of the site, which is linked to the official UI Web site.

Hill, who filed his complaint with the UI Office of Affirmative Action, said he was motivated to come forward after learning of the recent charges from former Phi Delta Theta member Elmer Vejar. On Dec. 5, 2001, the UI sophomore accused the fraternity of hazing rituals during Hell Week 2000, including the forced consumption of alcohol and demeaning simulated sexual activity.

The fraternity chapter's charter was revoked by the university last month.

Hill also approached the Rape Victim Advocacy Program, Women's Resource and Action Center, and UI Student Services with copies of the complaint in hopes of garnering university support. His complaint also names the Interfraternity Council as a responsible party.

The fraternity's Web site is humiliating to women and children, said Theresa Klingenberg, the RVAP director.

"I'm personally offended by this and on behalf of all other victims," she said. "Jokes about pedophiles and child abusers are wrong in any light."

Phi Delta Theta chapter adviser Steve Snyder said he agrees that the Web site is in "bad taste" and "stupid," but, he said, he is upset with Hill for remaining angry for 22 years. Hill was voted out of the fraternity in the '70s, Snyder said.

"I barely even know this guy, and I'd say that it's time to grow up," he said. "If you don't fit into a fraternity, I say just go and join another one."

Snyder said that after Vejar's allegations of hazing instigated a university, police, and internal investigation into the fraternity, Hill sent letters to the national and international Phi Delta Theta chapters supporting the claims and implementing Snyder as a supporter of the acts.

Phi Delta Theta President Paul Sabatino refused to comment on the matter; national chapter representatives were unavailable for comment.

The affirmative-action office investigates all complaints of alleged sexual harassment, said compliance officer Jan Waterhouse, adding that she could not comment on Hill's complaints.