[DeltAlum]

Here's the latest from The Post, and independent student newspaper at Ohio.


January 19, 2010
Board recommends suspension for Delta Tau Delta

Caitlin Bowling • Staff Writer

Editor's Note: This article has been corrected from its original version. Ohio University has not suspended the fraternity; a judicial hearing board has recommended the fraternity be suspended for five years. The Post regrets the error.


A hearing board recommended Friday that Ohio University suspend a fraternity accused of hazing its pledges.

Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi must now decide whether to eject Delta Tau Delta from campus for five years.

OU began investigating the fraternity in November after two pledges were hospitalized. Reports from both OU and the city indicated that pledges were blindfolded, forced to drink large quantities of alcohol and repeatedly "slapped around" at a Nov. 12 fraternity event. Pledges told police they were told they would not get into the fraternity if they refused drinks or beatings.

The fraternity can appeal the decision twice. If Delta Tau Delta chooses to appeal, a different judicial board will hear the case. Kent Smith, vice president for Student Affairs, decides all final appeals.

After five years, all current members should have graduated and the organization can start anew, said Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi.

OU will continue to investigate each member's role in the incident and could punish individuals, Lombardi said.

In November, Delta Tau Delta's national chapter temporarily suspended operations in Athens, forbidding local brothers from hosting social events, recruiting prospective members and educating new members about the fraternity. A spokesman for the national chapter has said that any additional punishment would depend on OU's ruling. The national chapter could expel members from the fraternity house.

"I don't think (the national chapter) will make any final decision until after the appeals," Lombardi said.

In May 2008, the fraternity paid Columbus-based construction firm Gutknecht Construction about $2 million to make its house handicap accessible and compliant with city housing codes.

Delta Tau Delta must still face similar, but separate hazing charges from the city.

The fraternity pleaded not guilty Nov. 23 and will have a pretrial hearing Jan. 21.

Hazing is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum 30 days in jail and a fine of $2,000 for organizations.

Reports from OU and Athens police shed some light on the events of Nov. 12.

Southeastern Ohio Emergency Medical Services responded to a call at Jefferson Hall and transported Michael Pristera, a freshman studying marketing, to O'Bleness Memorial Hospital.

Pristera, 18, of Prospect, Ky., sustained multiple injuries including broken bones, a swollen and bloody face, a chipped tooth and handprints on his chest, back and sides.

Pristera was unconscious when the ambulance arrived. He later told police that he did not want to get his friends in trouble.

"He did not want to lose his friends or the Delt house so he didn't want to say anything," according to the report. Pristera was discharged from O'Bleness Nov. 13.

Thomas Rotar, 18, of Chardon, Ohio, entered O'Bleness around 2:30 a.m. and said he was also assaulted at the fraternity. Rotar, a freshman who hasn't declared a major, had visible injuries from being slapped multiple times.

Rotar was accompanied to O'Bleness by fellow pledge Greg Tropf, whose injuries are unknown. "Rotar was asked to write out a statement and, before he answered, looked over to Tropf. Tropf shook his head no," according to the report.

Attempts to contact fraternity President Paul Kolbe, the national chapter and Rotar were unsuccessful. Pristera refused to comment.


DeltAlum note: Some quick comments. First, the $2million renovation was much more than meeting ADA standards. The entire house was remodeled, including new kitchen, etc. Second, to the best of my knowledge, Delta Tau Delta does not have a "National Chapter." We call it the Central Office or International Headquarters. After the first article, I wrote to the reporter to tell her that, but she either didn't read the e-mail or doesn't care. Not a big deal either way. Other than that, it seems to me like a pretty straight forward piece of reportage.

From the retraction at the very top, it looks like the paper may have jumped the gun a little, though. The chapter isn't officially suspended at this point, pending the appeal process.

I had heard that this might happen from a Greek official at Ohio last week. It seems to me that five years is a pretty stiff penalty for this, but as I said earlier, I support zero tolerance on behalf of both the University and the Fraternity regarding hazing. My only thought is that I also just read that a fraternity at The University Of Colorado is thinking of recolonizing in Boulder five years after a hazing/alcohol death. Seems to me that there's a little difference between a chipped tooth and a fatality. But, different schools and different cultures I suppose.

I'll wait to see how the appeal process works out.

Finally, it appears that the chapter and the Fraternity are being smart in refusing comment. The Central Office is pretty good an handling this kind of thing by not commenting until investigations are over, etc. Chapters should take note of that.