Hazing at the University of Tampa

dzjen27 · #1 04-18-2001, 04:17 PM

At the University of Tampa, four new brothers of Phi Delta Theta hazed two pledges, shooting them with a stun gun and making them jump into the river that runs by our school, or so the story goes. The four men have been expelled from the fraternity, but Phi Delta Theta has minimum sanctions because these four men acted on their own without the knowledge or consent of any other brothers.

Being that I know a few of these men, I believe that it wasn't a fraternity action, just four guys being stupid.

Any thoughts?

Also, this was pretty-well covered in the Tampa area. Anyone else hear about this?

AEPhi-QTPie · #2 04-18-2001, 04:40 PM

The Associated Press (AP) picked up on the story. Not only was it in Orlando news, but I actually saw a blurb on it on Headline News.

If it was indeed only the four members, and not the entire chapter, than certainly the 4 students deserve their punishment.

[This message has been edited by AEPhi-QTPie (edited April 18, 2001).]

Tom Earp · #3 04-18-2001, 05:21 PM

dz, unfortunatly, when the news media pick up something like this, it is not the few that are named but the whole Fraternity/Soroity. It is the letters and groups that the few represent and that means ALL of us! If legal action was tqaken, it should be taken by the International Organization first, the School 2 nd. If it is not then the legal system will take over and there is a real brew haugha. If I found out that any of my Brothers in My Chapter did something this stupid, I would do all in my power to get them OUT!!!!!

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

SilverTurtle · #4 04-19-2001, 11:52 AM

I heard about the story, too. I think the key is for Phi Delta Theta to take visible action (i.e.... it gets picked up at least by local media and the university) to make it clear that :

This was not condoned by the chapter members or (inter)nationals
The chapter itself was unaware of the actions of these few men... they acted independtly.
They will be taking action against these men to make it clear that they have a strict anti-hazing policy, etc. (Whether it's probation, expulsion, whatever).

Unfortunately, because those "men" are brothers, and were harassing pledges of the chapter, it comes across as a fraternity action, regardless of the actual circumstances. I wish them the best of luck in clearing their name with this incident!

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SilverTurtle@greekchat.com

Phi Beta Fraternity
Phi chapter

USFSDTAlum · #5 04-19-2001, 01:52 PM

DZjen, I am at USF and hadn't heard anything about it, is there a link somewhere I can check this out as we also have a Phi Delt chapter up 275 from you

or email me please.

dzjen27 · #6 04-20-2001, 07:35 PM

As for a link, the websites for the Tampa Tribune and St. Pete Times should have the stories in their archives, so do a search as I don't have the specific link.

What has happened, from what I understand, is that the four brothers are no longer brothers. They 'resigned' from the fraternity. If they didn't they would have been kicked out anyway. As for the chapter, they really aren't being punished. I think they have to do some kind of anti-hazing seminar for other Greeks, which I don't think is a big deal. There was talk for a while that the four men would be expelled from school, but they're only on probation and can still live on campus.

I'm glad we got talking about this, though. I wasn't hazed as a pledge, and from what I've heard and seen of other chapters, there hasn't been anything close to this in recent years, at least that I know of.

Jen

randomthetaphi · #7 05-12-2001, 04:22 PM

dzjen,
i go to ut too and have a different view on that matter. four brothers and two pledges make for 6 members and wouldn't that come off as an event? I know that the phi delts have no magic # in their constitution that make an event but they are or were a part of this fraternity and represent it with their actions. If 4 brothers haze then wouldn't you assume they all haze? stronger actions most definitely should have been taken against this group, instead the fraternity walked away with a slap on the hand not learning a single lesson and with heads bigger than the parking garage.