More Phi Delt hazing problems

[hoosier]

Friday, February 1, 2002

Southeast Missouri State suspends fraternity over alleged hazing incident


CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) -- The Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Southeast Missouri State University faces a suspension of more than a year over an alleged hazing incident.

Under the suspension, the fraternity can't operate on campus until the summer of 2003 at the earliest, and then only if the university reinstates it, university officials said Thursday.

Southeast officials ordered members of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity to move out of the school-owned fraternity house by the end of February. The students will be allowed to stay in school, officials said.

The fraternity was chartered at Southeast in 1992 and has about 50 members. Nineteen had been living in the house, but most already have moved out even as the fraternity seeks to appeal the suspension.

Southeast Missouri State drew national attention eight years ago when a student died following a hazing incident.

Michael Davis was beaten by members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in February 1994. Davis, a 25-year-old journalism student, died after being repeatedly punched, kicked and slammed to the ground during a hazing ritual. Seven members of the fraternity were convicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter. Southeast permanently banned the fraternity.

Since then, the university has handed down suspensions in two other hazing cases: Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1996 and Sigma Tau Gamma in 1997.

Hazing is prohibited under state law and university policy. The university regularly instructs students about the dangers of hazing and makes clear it won't be tolerated, officials said.

In latest suspension stems from alleged wrestling matches in the yard of the fraternity house. University spokeswoman Ann Hayes said students pledging the fraternities wrestled active members of the group.

Hayes and other school officials declined to discuss the incident in detail or describe any injuries sustained in the hazing other than to say they weren't life-threatening.

"We don't take hazing lightly," Southeast president Ken Dobbins said.

The Rev. J. Friedel, director of Catholic Campus Ministries and adviser to Phi Delta Theta, wouldn't comment.

Hayes said university officials learned of the hazing near the end of the fall semester, and only recently completed an investigation. No criminal charges have been filed.