Zeta Psi, U Wash.: ditto

[hoosier]

UW Fraternity Investigated After Hazing Complaint

February 25, 2005
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By Kevin Reece

SEATTLE - The Zeta Psi fraternity is under investigation at the University of Washington for allegedly kicking three members out of the house when they complained about hazing.

The UW Interfraternity Council held a hearing Wednesday to address the complaints. Three former members say they were asked to leave the house when they began to complain last November.

"It was on a dangerous level," said sophomore Justin Muhlbeier about one incident where he claims a pledge was coerced to drink large amounts of alcohol. His accusations of hazing also included forced two-hour cleaning sessions in the frat house kitchen and exercise sessions with spit covering the floor.

"Well, they'd been smoking in there so it was really cloudy and smoky to begin with but there was spit all over the floor" as they were forced to do pushups Muhlbeier said. "They call it work week. It's truly just a hell week. You don't get to sleep you only get to eat when they tell you you can eat."

"And their actual response to that would be it's not really hazing. You've got to understand what we're doing isn't really that bad," he says he was told by the house leaders.

In a written statement the president of the local house denied Muhlbeier's claims.

"None of our members have ever been or will ever be kicked out for taking a stand against hazing," wrote William Hoff. "We do not support or condone hazing of any kind. Our status with the University and the IFC is pending appeal and we are confident that these appeals will allow the full truth to be shed on these charges."

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at the university says no action has been taken. They have not yet received a report or recommendation from the UW Interfraternity Council.

The university web site lists the fraternity's "recognition status" as "pending."

More serious allegations did result in sanctions against another UW fraternity last year. The UW lists the recognition status of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity as "suspended" as of November for alcohol and hazing violations.

The Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity is nearing the end of a one year probation also for hazing violations. Two other houses, Delta Chi and Delta Tau Delta, received reprimands just last month for incidents of underage drinking.