Wichita State Phi Delta Theta: Pictures Bring Investigation

exlurker · #1 02-08-2006, 12:06 AM

Station KAKE reports that Wichita State U. and Phi Delta Theta are investigating the WSU Phi Delta chapter after pictures showing activities that could possibly indicate hazing were discovered.

http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/2274661.html

Note: I'm not sure that this is an example of crazed liberal media; KAKE is owned by Gray Television of Atlanta and Albany, Georgia, which operates 35 regular TV stations, is acquiring a 36th, and also has 7 multicast TV stations. Its various stations are affiliates of CBS, NBC, ABC or FOX, depending on location. Sounds like just another U.S. corporate enterprise.

DeltAlum · #2 02-08-2006, 12:23 AM

Gray is a good company. The company I work for built three of their stations, helped upgrade another and is about to rebuild yet another one.

All that aside, this is more another case of stupidity -- putting things on the web that should never be here -- rather than any media prejudice.

If the pictures weren't there, there would be no story.

exlurker · #3 02-08-2006, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum . . . this is more another case of stupidity -- putting things on the web that should never be here -- rather than any media prejudice.

If the pictures weren't there, there would be no story.

DeltaAlum, I absolutely agree with you. (Although I'd probably add that it may go beyond stupidity in posting pictures -- it may be a matter of stupidly or willfully disregarding campus / fraternity rules. If the actions didn't occur, there wouldn't be any pictures.)

As for Gray, I'm glad to hear they're a great company. I only menioned them as a reminder that, frankly, most city newspapers, TV stations, magazines, and so on are owned by large to enormous corporations that most likely have zero interest in a particular "anti-Greek" slant. I'm more than a little weary of repeated claims of media bias in instances like this. (And DeltAlum, I know that you did not claim bias regarding this story.)

Honeykiss1974 · #4 02-08-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Gray is a good company. The company I work for built three of their stations, helped upgrade another and is about to rebuild yet another one.

All that aside, this is more another case of stupidity -- putting things on the web that should never be here -- rather than any media prejudice.

If the pictures weren't there, there would be no story.

You are right. This morning as I'm watching the news before work, KAKE ran this story and showed the pictures.

In general, the media has ran positive stories about greeks, community service, etc. I doubt if their "out to get" anyone.

Optimist Prime · #5 02-08-2006, 10:05 AM

Does Gray own WWBT News Channel 12 in Richmond? I ask because of the "On Your Side" thing. /hijack

g41965 · #6 02-08-2006, 10:06 AM

I don't think the media is anti greek I think they are pro ratings if the pubilc wants to hear about hazing, well the media will put it on the air.

hoosier · #7 02-08-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by exlurker

Note: I'm not sure that this is an example of crazed liberal media; KAKE is owned by Gray Television of Atlanta and Albany, Georgia, which operates 35 regular TV stations, is acquiring a 36th, and also has 7 multicast TV stations. Its various stations are affiliates of CBS, NBC, ABC or FOX, depending on location. Sounds like just another U.S. corporate enterprise.

Pix @ http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/2274661.html

My take on conservatism is support for law and order.

Hazing is agin the law, and while I hate that the chapter is probably history, I'm glad the news media did their job and helped end the hazing and law breaking.

I've had a hand is publicizing some athletic team hazing, and altho some people not deserving of my respect have criticized it, I'm content with my actions and will do it again.

PS: It seems to me that the Grays were in the news last year, and sold out to somebody. Not certain tho.

exlurker · #8 02-08-2006, 02:41 PM

Phi Delta Theta HQ Denies Hazing at Wichita State

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/13821748

According to the article (above) the fraternity says it was "horsing around" that got carried away, not hazing.

The university will continue its investigation.

I'll try to locate the Phi Delt press release.

exlurker · #9 02-08-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
Does Gray own WWBT News Channel 12 in Richmond? I ask because of the "On Your Side" thing. /hijack

No. Jefferson-Pilot Communications owns WWBT.

DeltAlum · #10 02-08-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by exlurker
No. Jefferson-Pilot Communications owns WWBT.

Right. Or as we know them, Jeff-Pilot. Thanks.

The "On Your Side" thing is something a lot of TV stations use -- not necessarily ones owned by the same company. As they say in TV, there are no new ideas, only new audiences. In other words, someone had an idea and a lot of other "borrowed" it.

To exlurker -- I would generally be the last to claim media bias unless I really believe it exists in a given story because I worked in TV newsrooms for many years. However, if there really is something unfair in reportage, I'm not adverse to pointing it out -- and have on occassion on these boards.

A final word about KAKE. For a medium market station, this is one with an excellent reputation. I've worked with several people who came from there and they were all top notch.

Tom Earp · #11 02-08-2006, 07:41 PM

While I could not get it to come up, I beleive what I have read.

This is a truely sad situatin and entirely a stupid thing to do!
Not just putting it on a Site, but to do it from the beginning!

If it is true, then they desearve what happens to them!

hoosier · #12 02-11-2006, 01:48 PM

http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/2280381.html

A WSU fraternity says images of a young man duct taped to a staircase have been blown out of proportion. An exclusive KAKE On Your Side investigation first broke the hazing investigation. The pictures are disturbing and conjure up stereotypes of an animal house style fraternity. A young man is bound to a chair, tied up and appears to be force fed. In another image, he appears to be duct taped to a staircase bannister inside the Phi Delta Theta house. Chapter Advisor Brian Carduff says it's a huge misunderstanding.

The University's Vice President for Campus Life says the pictures are still concerning. The National Fraternity says it's investigation is closed, saying "The Subject was a willing participant in juvenile actions and nothing more." Parents of Phi Delta Theta members say they hope the members will take something positive from the experience.

As the news spread throughout campus, the fraternity members members we talked to (none from Phi Delta Theta) said no matter what the pictures actually were, they don't represent WSU Greek Life.

exlurker · #13 02-15-2006, 03:01 PM

Chapter Didn't Violate WSU Code of Conduct, University Says

From the Feb. 15 ’06 Wichita Eagle:

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/13879133.htm

Excerpts from the article:
Wichita State University has found no grounds to penalize the Phi Delta Theta fraternity over allegations of possible hazing, but will still investigate individual students, the university said today.

Ron Kopita, vice president for campus life and university relations, said the university's investigation of photos posted on Facebook.com found insufficient evidence that the fraternity chapter violated the university's code of conduct.

The university will work with the fraternity's national office to develop mandatory education sessions on appropriate behavior for local chapter members, he said. . . .

Optimist Prime · #14 02-15-2006, 05:10 PM

people blow everything way out of proportion.