[hoosier]

Tucson, Arizona Saturday, 24 August 2002


Delta Chi loses official status after hazing inquiry
By Arek Sarkissian II
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

A UA fraternity lost its university recognition in May after an investigation into complaints of hazing, university officials said Friday.

The loss of recognition by the University of Arizona means Delta Chi Fraternity cannot engage in many Greek campus activities, including rush week and Spring Fling, until at least 2004, said Melissa Vito, associate vice president of campus life and the dean of students at the UA.

The disassociation came after a semester-long investigation conducted by UA Associate Dean of Students Veda Kowalski and a representative from the chapter's national office.

The investigation found the fraternity was engaging in hazing activities, including verbal and physical abuse as well as furnishing alcohol to minors, Vito said.

Not only were pledges ridiculed, they were forced to do calisthenics and a Roman chair exercise, in which pledges sit in the same position as a chair for an extended period of time, Kowalski said.

Also, minors regularly provided money for alcoholic drinks, Kowalski said.

Kowalski said the UA considers hazing to be when members of a fraternity or sorority are required to consume alcohol or forced to endure some type of humiliating or physically or morally degrading activity.

Hazing can also occur between members of other organizations.

The fraternity was officially notified of its disassociation in May, and appealed but was denied, Kowalski said.

The activities of Delta Chi were suspended in November after reports of hazing were made to the Dean of Students Office.