(Thanks to Doug and Fraternal News)
University evicts fraternity
BY KELBY HARTSON CARR
VALPARAISO | Like a scene from "Animal House," Valparaiso University's Phi Delta Theta fraternity was shut down and its 25 members told to move from their housing without notice.
Fraternity members said they were informed of the fraternity's suspension at 11 a.m. Monday by university officials. They were banned from entering the housing until 1 p.m., and had to find someplace else to sleep that night.
The punishment was prompted by a Jan. 7 incident in which 51 intoxicated minors were found in the fraternity house, according to students and university officials.
The international fraternity adopted a no-alcohol policy in 2000.
Reggie Syrcle, executive director of university relations, said the university had no choice. Once the Phi Delta Theta organization decided to close the chapter, according to the university's policy, "It was no longer deemed student housing."
The students were offered the option of moving into a residence hall or finding their own housing.
"Do you really think these kids will be sleeping on the streets?" he asked.
On Tuesday, fraternity members were moving out their belongings while Valparaiso University police officers stood by.
After today, they may only enter the building with a police escort.
"We were given 22 hours" of moving time, said Matt Hoffman, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering. "We were kicked out immediately. It's just unreasonable."
Marc Mores, associate executive vice president for Phi Delta Theta's headquarters in Oxford, Ohio, said the decision was because of "a general sense of failing on the part of the chapter."
He noted there also was a homecoming party with alcohol in the fall.
It is typical to lock students out of their housing when a chapter is closed under these conditions, he said.
"We're trying to protect the property and make sure there is no damage done, while still keeping what's in the best interest of the student at hand," Mores said.
Hoffman said his best interests aren't being secured.
As he stood outside the Garfield Avenue house yesterday, another former fraternity member walked up.
"Where are you living at, man?" asked Stephen Furbacher, a sophomore.
Hoffman is staying at a friend's apartment. He said it's hard to pull together enough money for rent and a deposit at a new apartment.
He doesn't want to move into a dorm. His current room was much larger than a dorm room, and it will be hard to get his stuff into a smaller space. He and some of the other men are considering renting storage space.
"You're telling a 22-year-old to go room with an 18-year-old freshman," he said.
Furbacher loathes the idea as well, but said he will probably be forced to do so.
He was shocked when he learned the housing would be locked down. He said it will be tough to move things out of the house and pay attention to his studies.
"I think it's too harsh a punishment," Furbacher said. "I have five classes tomorrow and no place to live."
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