EIU expells 14 DX hazers

[hoosier]

EIU gives 14 frat guys the boot following alleged hazing

By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer Wednesday, May 4, 2005 9:58 AM CDT

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CHARLESTON -- Andrew Stevens has a only couple of more courses to complete before graduating from Eastern Illinois University.
But after EIU officials told him he was going to be suspended for participating in the hazing of another student, Stevens has no idea when he'll get to take those last two classes.

"They basically just made an example out of all of us," Stevens said Monday, the day he learned of his pending two-year suspension from the university.
By "us," Stevens referred to himself and the 13 other members of Delta Chi fraternity who face disciplinary action following an alleged hazing incident last fall.
The university announced Tuesday that nine current or former students have been charged with violating EIU's policy on hazing, while five other Delta Chi members allegedly harassed or threatened a student.
The fraternity's on-campus house was closed in January for reports of "improper membership intake practices," according to an EIU press release.
Much of the Delta Chi membership then took up residence in a rental house on Fourth Street north of the university, said some of the students implicated in the hazing incident.
"None of us were even involved, though," Stevens said.
According to EIU officials, the campus police department conducted a "lengthy" investigation following the alleged hazing at an off-campus site in November.
The fraternity members said one of the Delta Chi pledges had reported the supposed initiation ceremony to university authorities.
The students also said the whistle-blower did not claim he was harmed physically, only that he was yelled at by ranking Delta Chi members.
"No one was drinking, and no one was physically harmed," said Josh Schild, a senior and Delta Chi member who planned to receive his diploma this weekend.
The 14 fraternity members said they attended a hearing of the University Judicial Board on Friday, and learned they were either suspended or expelled on Monday.
According to the EIU press release, the UJB conducted an eight-hour hearing and then forwarded its recommendations for sanctions to Lynette Drake, acting vice president for student affairs.
The Delta Chi members have until May 5 to appeal the rulings, which they all said they intend to do.
"The board concluded that the hazing of prospective members was an accepted practice within the chapter, despite being in direct opposition to both the national standards of the fraternity and of Eastern Illinois University's Student Conduct Code," Drake said in the release.
"The board's recommendations reflect the seriousness with which the university views hazing. We simply will not tolerate it, and will take appropriate action when it occurs."
But some of those charged with hazing pleaded innocence.
Senior Art Heraldsen said he wasn't even present at the time of the alleged incident. He noted that the pledging student who reported the hazing "doesn't remember seeing me here."
Other fraternity members likewise said the recorded testimony of the whistle-blower should clear them of wrongdoing, but they nonetheless are looking at disciplinary action.
They noted they all have hired attorneys, and may bring the matter into the court system should the university uphold its decision for sanctions.
"If they don't let us back in, we're going to take it as far as we can," said Schild.