Bad news for Iowa Phi Delts

[IowaHawkeye]

Ex-pledge alleges hazing


By Sara Faiwell




The Daily Iowan



Iowa City police are investigating allegations of hazing at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity after a former member filed a complaint saying he and others were forced to binge-drink and were psychologically harmed.

The UI sophomore says he and fellow pledges were forced into one room in September 2000, where they had to drink several bottles of alcohol in a 20-minute period. The student said the members came in shortly and showed their disapproval that the bottles were not empty, according to his statement to police.

In his eight-page statement, the student ticked off a variety of activities he considers to be hazing -- from being asked to simulate his first experience with masturbation in front of other members to receiving wide-ranging oral abuse. He also says pledges were deprived of food for periods of time. Other times, they were forced to eat unusual foods in large amounts, his statement says.

"It's tough for pledges, especially when they're under these extreme circumstances," said the student, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "The pledges are brainwashed to think it's OK for actives to haze them."

UI President Mary Sue Coleman said Tuesday she is aware of the investigation, and there is no choice other than to carry out a full probe of the matter. The local adviser of the fraternity called the allegations false.

The one-time Phi Delta Theta member talked to Iowa City police in August about his assertions of harmful hazing activities, but he did not file a written complaint about the matter until Nov. 30. The student had shared a two-hour tape recording of alleged hazing activities this fall, called Hell Week, with Phillip Jones, the UI vice president for Student Services. Jones encouraged him to file a formal police complaint.

On Nov. 29, Jones wrote: "I would advise you once again to consider filing a formal criminal complaint with the Iowa City police." He also told the student to contact authorities if fraternity members retaliate against him for blowing the whistle.

Chapter adviser Steve Snyder said he found no evidence of hazing after investigating. The complainant was kicked out of the house last year because his grades were not high enough to be in the fraternity for two semesters, he said.

The former pledge then audio and video-tape recorded what he thought was hazing, Snyder said, because he knew he was getting kicked out of the Phi Delta Theta house. But Snyder says pictures the former member took with alcohol and drug paraphernalia were set up.

"There is no hazing," Snyder said. "If I could find hazing, I would throw people out because it would make my job easier."

Snyder, who works in conjunction with the national Phi Delta Theta chapter in Ohio, said this man is on a mission to close the fraternity. "I think he will end up in a nice orange jumpsuit," Snyder said.

UI fraternities voluntarily banned alcohol consumption in its houses in 1998, following the drinking-related death of Matthew Garofalo in 1995.

Under the Iowa hazing law, any person who commits an act of hazing is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

Two pledges who left the fraternity last year refused to comment on hazing allegations; they cited financial reasons for leaving the organization

[valkyrie]

Wow -- it sort of sounds like this guy is trying to get revenge on the house for kicking him out.

Is that common? It seems like everyone takes hazing so seriously (which is good in theory) that false allegations could really screw things up for people who haven't done anything wrong.

[DeltAlum]

Chapters are an easy target for this kind of accusation because hazing is a real "hot button" and is nearly impossible to define.

On the other hand, it does exist in some placesand it forces national organizations to investigate because of the legal ramifications.

It sounds like this guy has an ax to grind, but if Phi Delt Nationals finds out these allegations are true, the chapter will almost certainly (ana probably should) be suspended.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Wow, not a good year for Phi Delts in the Midwest.

[Tom Earp]

This seems to be a problem in every generation!

The easy ride, I am here so take me as I am neat!

We had a new Assoc. From my home town and they called the home boy because of me!

His family had one of the three largest business in town and I mean big!!!!!!

I told him if he got intiated, I would be there and he did and I was there! That night, he started chugging a bottle of liqure on his own! I put a stop to that real quick!

He is still a member of the Organization but is very inactive because of the silver spoon up his ass and I told him about it! Ha he did not like it and got mad! To bad so sad! He is a waste and I dont care if I ever call him My Brother!

I do not want him around, and the shame is his father is a Brother from another school!

He is still a worthless drunk with all of the toys and no sense of direction! What a damn waste!
Wow and the ripe old age of 19!

Be Stupid and Act Stupid and Pay the Price

Life is like ridding a skate board, it is great as long as you are going down the hill! It is a bitch walking back up it!

[IowaHawkeye]

By Sara Faiwew
The Daily Iowan

A UI administrator called evidence of
hazing at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity
convincing after an ex-member shared his
experiences as a pledge, a recorded
conversation obtained by the DI shows.

The UI sophomore, who asked not to be identified, handed a
tape recording of a two-hour alleged hazing incident to Phillip
Jones, the university's vice president for Student Services, this fall.
He also issued a written report about his experience with hazing
during "Hell Week" at Phi Delta Theta to police and university
officials.

"This is over the top, what he's got here," Jones said of the report
in a separate audio recording acquired by the DI. "He didn't
make that shit up É He gave things that I thought by now were
gone."

The student told police he and other pledges were forced to drink
several bottles of alcohol in a 20-minute period and partake in a
variety of other hazing activities. Police and university officials on
Wednesday continued separate investigations into the fraternity,
which has been put on probation by its national headquarters.

The chapter adviser for the fraternity characterized the allegations
as a "little bit of truth with a lot of embellishment."

'A major problem in the whole system'

Jones declined to confirm the statements made in the
tape-recorded conversation obtained by the DI. During the
conversation with his assistant, Jones repeatedly expressed
concern about activities in the UI Greek community.

"We're possibly going to have somebody hurt seriously or killed,"
he said on the recording. "I think the whole system is in question
about whether there should be a Greek system."

Jones later added: "I think we got a major problem in the whole
system."

Student leaders said it's common knowledge Jones is not a fan of
the Greek system, and they wondered whether he would use
hazing incidents to shut down the organizations. In an interview,
Jones said it is "not likely" the Greek system will be disbanded but
noted such actions have been taken elsewhere.

Jones also said Wednesday he could not provide numbers about
how many hazing complaints are under investigation. "I can
confirm that it is not a new phenomenon," he said.

'Wasn't forced consumption'

Phi Delta Theta chapter adviser Steve Snyder acknowledged that
fraternity members drank during initiation activities, including what
he called a "bottle night" during the fall of 2000.

"It wasn't forced consumption," he said. "There is no such thing as
forced consumption, unless someone sticks a funnel down your
throat and makes you drink."

At bottle night, the student said members pressured pledges to
consume large amounts of hard liquor in 20 minutes and showed
disapproval when the bottles were not finished.

Snyder said the UI will wrap up its investigation and possibly
issue sanctions against the fraternity by the end of this week. He
said the university could revoke its recognition of the chapter. The
university took that action against the Pi Kappa Alpha
organization in the fall of 2000 for drinking violations.

"I don't care what the university does," he said. "So the university
jerked the Pikes, big deal. Are they still here? Yes."

The local Phi Delta Theta chapter has been put on probation for a
violation of risk management concerning alcohol consumption and
inappropriate pledge activities, said Bob Biggs, the executive vice
president of the national chapter. The house will have to go
through education to reform pledging, ban social events, and issue
an apology for violations.

'I condemn hazing'

Meanwhile, a second former Phi Delta Theta pledge told the DI
Wednesday he was present during last year's Hell Week and
took part in some of the activities. The student, who wished to
remain anonymous, declined to say whether hazing occurred but
said "everyone had his own free will to leave anytime" during
activities.

Jones, who said he was hazed as a fraternity member years ago,
does not doubt whether hazing is an "underground" activity.

"Everything I read in that statement is consistent with my
experience," Jones said on the audio tape, referring to the
ex-pledges' complaints.

Chris Niro, the Interfraternity Council president, who says he
remembers being hazed as a freshman, said the practice occurs
on campus but isn't typical of the Greek community.

Niro refused comment on other allegations but said he helped
rebuild the local chapter of the Delta Chi fraternity after its charter
was revoked for hazing.

"I condemn hazing," said Niro. "It's a lazy way out of member
education."

[CalThetaPhi536]

Damn! what is going on? i hope these allegations are proven false. We are having enough stuff with a lot of chapter closures to now have to deal with more. If the guys are hazing then it's terrible but it sounds to me like a bitter guy who got kicked out and wants some petty revenge.

[DeltAlum]

What we have in this case is a really scary senario -- a University VP who wants to abolish the entire Greek System and a chapter advisor who seems to condone hazing and is taking a beligerent attitude.

What a recipe for disaster.

This is why hazing must end. There are lots of college administrators who feel this way. Why do we keep giving them ammunition?

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2001 23:31:38 -0800
From: Fraternity/Sorority Newsclips <doug.case@sdsu.edu>
Subject: National chapter sanctions Phi Delta Theta fraternity

Associated Press
December 6, 2001

National chapter sanctions Phi Delta Theta fraternity

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A University of Iowa fraternity has been placed on
probation by its national leadership as university officials and
police investigate hazing allegations.

Oxford, Ohio-based Phi Delta Theta handed down the probation and a
dozen other sanctions including a $1,000 payment to the national
organization and increased restrictions on the fraternity house. The
restrictions are to remain in place through the end of 2002.

Iowa City Police launched an investigation after receiving a
complaint from a former member Friday, which alleges multiple
occasions of forced binge drinking, accusations of verbal and
physical abuse, sleep and food deprivation and claims that some
members encouraged pledges to smoke marijuana.

Fraternity officials deny most of the allegations, admitting only to
voluntary alcohol use and possible underage drinking.

Phi Delta Theta instituted a no-alcohol policy at all its houses in
February 1997.

Marc Mores, national director of charter services, has said some
activities during the 2000-2001 school year could be considered
hazing, but no recent incidents have been confirmed.

The house has 46 active members and 16 pledges.

University officials said they will finalize their investigation and
decide on whether to take independent action against the fraternity
by Monday.

The sanctions require the local chapter to develop a written,
eight-week pledge program, go on a "brotherhood retreat" with
national leadership early next year and have 85 percent of its
membership watch an alcohol education video.

Alcohol is banned from all pledge activities, and an ongoing
restriction prohibiting pledges from being in the house remains in
place. All social events are canceled for the remainder of the year.

(c) 2001 The Associated Press.

[IowaHawkeye]

UI reassigns Greek system supervisors


By Sara Faiwell




The Daily Iowan



The UI administrator who oversaw the Greek system for 22 years was reassigned within the Office of Student Life Wednesday, as investigations into alleged hazing incidents continued.

Mary Peterson will be replaced by Jason Pierce, an assistant director of student life, who has been also been working with the Greeks for the past year.

Leaders of the Greek community criticized the move, saying it will be hard to replace Peterson's advocacy for fraternities and sororities.

Phillip Jones, the UI vice president for Student Services, who is Peterson's boss, did not return phone calls on Wednesday. Peterson's reassignment, though, comes one month after Jones expressed widespread concern with the status of the Greek system.

"I think the whole system is in question about whether there should be a Greek system," Jones said on an audiotape obtained by the DI, later adding: "I think we got a major problem in the whole system."

University officials, members of the Greek community, and administrators within the Office of Student Life either declined to comment or said they weren't sure of the circumstances behind the personnel change.

Peterson, a renowned national speaker for Greek affairs, helped propel the UI Greek system, said Chris Niro, the president of the Interfraternity Council.

"She has really been a great advocate for us, which is why this is a tough issue," he said.

The decision of reassignment comes in the middle of a university hazing investigation regarding the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Possible sanctions against the fraternity are expected this week.

An anonymous ex-member of the fraternity who was allegedly hazed -- forced to consume large amounts of hard liquor in a 25-minute span, among other activities -- said he went to Peterson within the last month to voice concerns. He said Peterson told him to leave and declined to hear his story.

"She didn't want to deal with it," said the member, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "She is the head of affairs and wouldn't talk."

However, fraternity presidents say Peterson, who teaches two classes at the UI on leadership, has always been a person whom they hold in high regard.

Kevin Condon, the president of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, said he is surprised by the reassignment and intrigued to find out why the change was made.

"I had a really good relationship with her," he said. "We had no problems with her dealing with my house."

Personally - I see this as a move to kick the Greek system when they're already down. They saw the opportunity to take away one of our greatest resources and friends in the University (Mary Peterson) and quickly replaced her with someone who has less expereince and will possibly cater more to administstrations agenda. Ugh, whatever....

[dzrose93]

Originally posted by IowaHawkeye
Personally - I see this as a move to kick the Greek system when they're already down. They saw the opportunity to take away one of our greatest resources and friends in the University (Mary Peterson) and quickly replaced her with someone who has less expereince and will possibly cater more to administstrations agenda. Ugh, whatever....

I agree with you IHE. Looks like they're trying to get rid of someone who actually fights for Greeks' rights on campus in order to put an administrative puppet in her place. I feel sorry for your Greek system right now. It looks like y'all may be in for a rough time. Please keep us updated.

DZLAM,
Carrie

[valkyrie]

That's pretty scary. It sounds like this Jones guy has his own agenda to wipe out the greek system. I don't understand why he seems to think that the whole greek system's existence is in question based upon one alleged hazing incident. Have there been other troubles lately, or is he just trying to carry out his evil plot because of this one incident, which may not have even happened?

He says "the whole system is in question about whether there should be a greek system." What does that mean? What is the first system to which he referred -- I'm sure the greek system itself isn't questioning whether it should exist because that is just foolish. The whole university administration? Himself? He and the puppet regime he wants to install to wipe out the greek system? What? How can he say that there is a major problem in the whole system (oh he likes that word!) because of ONE alleged (not proven) incident?

I remember Mary from when I was at Iowa, and I certainly don't remember her as someone who was easy on the greek system. I actually remember her being very tough when it came to alcohol, and the fraternity parties were starting to be without alcohol because of a serious change in policy, way back in 1990. It seems that Mary's boss is taking the word of some disgruntled ex-fraternity member who may or may not be telling the truth over her, an employee of 22 years. It seems like a pretty lame excuse for "reassigning" her -- like he was looking for ANY possible reason to get rid of her.

That is all really too bad. I wonder if they would care what an alumna thinks of this?

[dzrose93]

Originally posted by valkyrie
That is all really too bad. I wonder if they would care what an alumna thinks of this?

It couldn't hurt to tell them your opinion. I'd start the letter out, "A recent study by the University of Missouri found that Greeks throughout the US and Canada are more involved on their campuses and rate their overall university experience better. The same Missouri study found Greeks are more financially successful after they graduate than independents; are more involved in their communities, and give more generously to their alma maters."

In that same paragraph, I think I'd emphasize how making the entire Greek system at Iowa suffer for one ALLEGED hazing incident seems a little extreme to you, an Iowa graduate and proud Greek alumna. Point out that there are many charities in the country who need contributions, and if Iowa doesn't value its Greek alumni members' opinions, then perhaps it doesn't value your money either.

Money talks sometimes when nothing else does.

[DeltAlum]

(I was writing this when DZRose posted above. As you will see below, I agree with her 100%.)

This is most worrisome.

There doesn't seem to be much question that Vice President Jones has a very specific agenda -- to close the entire Greek System at Iowa. At least it certainly looks that way on the face of it -- he pretty much said so in so many words. You have to wonder whether the university president supports this position. If so, this has potential ramifications far beyond Iowa. We all know there are other presidents out there who would love to follow that leader.

The national offices of all fraternities and sororities represented on campus should contact all of their Iowa contributing alumni and ask them to write letters to the president and express their displeasure. Hitting them in their endowment is one sure way to get their attention. Someone should also remind them that they are in danger of losing federal dollars if they unilaterally ban student groups such as GLOs. (I would like to know more about that ruling)

In addition, Chapter Advisor Snyder needs to really back off on the rhetoric. This situaltion should be handled through the national office at Oxford. As I said somewhere above, you don't fight a fire by pouring gasoline on it. Cooler heads need to prevail on both sides.

This needs to be watched very closely.

[IowaHawkeye]

Originally posted by valkyrie
I remember Mary from when I was at Iowa, and I certainly don't remember her as someone who was easy on the greek system. I actually remember her being very tough when it came to alcohol, and the fraternity parties were starting to be without alcohol because of a serious change in policy, way back in 1990. It seems that Mary's boss is taking the word of some disgruntled ex-fraternity member who may or may not be telling the truth over her, an employee of 22 years. It seems like a pretty lame excuse for "reassigning" her -- like he was looking for ANY possible reason to get rid of her.

Mary isn't easy on us - i remember our presdent coming home from meetings and being amazed that Mary puts so much pressure on us to be upstanding and exceptional on campus. She prides herself in the fact that she is our friend, but she is not willing to risk her job to be it. We also want to make her proud; she does go out on a limb for us when administration is breathing down our necks. And honestly - if some one came to Mary concerned about something in their chapter (ie the hazing) there is no way she would decline to hear their story! it is her job to hear that story! Mary is a compassionate woman, she is also one of the advisors for Dance Marathon so that is where I know her the best. She pushes us to be excellent b/c we are capable of it. This is just ridiculous...

[dzrose93]

Do you think getting the presidents of each GLO together to attend a meeting with Jones telling how much they like and admire Mary would do any good? If nothing else, I would have every chapter at Iowa write an individual letter to Mary showing your support and letting her know that you don't agree with her reassignment. Having things in writing is always more powerful than saying them verbally.

Also, send an editorial letter to the school paper and the town newspaper voicing your strong objection to her reassignment and give examples of her fair and ethical treatment of the Greek System in the past. Throw the bad press back in Jones' face by focusing it on him instead of the Greeks.

Just a suggestion! I really hate that all this is happening to y'all.