Nebraska DUs caught by photographer

[hoosier]

Monday, Mar. 4, 2002

UNL: Delta Upsilon to be spanked for alcohol violations
BY MARTHA STODDARD Lincoln Journal Star
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The photograph e-mailed to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Office of Greek Affairs late Tuesday afternoon revealed more than the bare bottoms of two Delta Upsilon fraternity members.

It also showed a clear violation of university alcohol policy and a possible violation of rules against hazing and physical abuse, said Jim Griesen, vice chancellor for student affairs.

The photograph depicts nine young men in the corner of a large room, several holding beer cans. Two of the men are bent over, with their pants lowered to display dark red marks on their bare buttocks. A third man crouches between them, holding a wooden paddle with the Greek letters delta and upsilon.

Griesen said preliminary investigations confirmed that the photo was real and was taken in the basement of the Delta Upsilon house, 1548 Vine St.

"Conclusion one is, yes, Delta Upsilon is going to be in trouble for having alcohol in the house," he said. That violation already has been turned over to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs.

Conclusion two is that at least one pledge and his pledge "father" traded swats with a commemorative fraternity paddle, Griesen said. The incident apparently occurred following the initiation banquet for fraternity pledges.

Spanking rituals have been a tradition in fraternities across the country for many years, he said. Both he and a younger student affairs staff member recall such during their college days, although there have been no reports of such at UNL before.

"We are led to believe that this was just the traditional trading of swats," Griesen said.

Whether the behavior violated the Student Code of Conduct or state law remains to be seen, especially because the acts were reported to be voluntary, he said. Griesen said he is reviewing the rules and has asked UNL Police Chief Owen Yardley to investigate further.

Yardley said he doesn't expect to finish the investigation until early next week.

The local fraternity also may be subject to disciplinary measures by Delta Upsilon's alumni chapter and international organization, said Andrew Carr, chapter president and a junior from Nebraska City.

He said he first learned of the photo through a phone call from a friend last week. He said the men in the photo are current members, but an internal investigation is under way to find out the circumstances of the photo.

"I'm aware of the situation," Carr said. "It's very disheartening to me. It does show bad judgment on the part of a few people. Our alumni chapter, our international chapter and the university are working very hard to make sure it doesn't happen again."