DSP-UVa douses pledges with (bad stuff)

[hoosier]

The brothers of the Alpha Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Phi would like visitors to this forum to understand that the situation outlined in this topic has been fully resolved, the chapter has been rebuilt around a non-hazing philosophy, and the house contains no men who were involved with the chapter at the time of these events. If you're looking for more information about us, please see our website. Thank you.

U.Va. frat pledge reports being doused with vinegar, urine

Associated Press
© November 6, 2003 | Last updated 11:28 AM Nov. 6
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A University of Virginia student reported that he and other students were doused with vinegar and urine as part of a fraternity pledge ritual, and said he decided to tell authorities because he was tired of the abuse.

The 19-year-old Delta Sigma Phi pledge also reported that his apartment was vandalized, Charlottesville police Lt. Gary Pleasants said. Physical altercations also took place there, but the man did not give details, police said.

"His arms were shaking" after arriving home to his ransacked apartment, according to a police report. "His body was wet and smelled of vinegar and urine. He said that he was a pledge of a fraternity."

The student complained of "increasingly violent and disgusting hazing rituals including dousing the pledges with vinegar, urine and other substances," the report said.

"He was fed up with the abuse and wanted to press charges," the report said. The man, whom police declined to identify to protect his safety, told police that his entire pledge class had decided to quit pursuing membership in Delta Sigma Phi.



See the complete Pilot, exactly as in print
- View stories, photos and ads
- E-mail clippings
- Print copies
Log in or learn more

Email this Page
Print this Page
Get Email Newsletters
University officials and representatives from the fraternity's national organization are investigating.

Scott Wiley, executive director of the national fraternity, said that his office is investigating allegations that the fraternity's risk-management policy had been violated, but he refused to elaborate further.

Charlottesville police responded to a call on Oct. 28 that two men had broken into the student's apartment and dismantled furniture and other items and threw them outside. The student's roommates later identified a man who damaged the student's property, saying they had seen him drive away.

No arrests have been made, but police have suspects, Pleasants said.

The U.Va. chapter is under temporary probation by the national organization as the investigation takes place, Wiley said.

U.Va.'s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life started its own probe, and it will present a report to the university's dean of students, who will decide on what, if any, punishment is given the house.