Permanent closing due to hazing...

[DeltAlum]

When well we ever learn?

The Associated Press
January 10, 2003

SLU kicks out fraternity

HAMMOND, La. (AP) -- Southeastern Louisiana University has
permanently kicked its oldest fraternity off campus because of a
hazing incident that put a pledge in a hospital.

Thursday's action was taken against Kappa Delta Tau, which told a
group of pledges to swim in a cold pond, university spokesman Rene
Abadie said. One of the pledges was hospitalized with hypothermia.

"It's a permanent loss of privileges," Abadie said. "They're out of here."

The action came as a result of an incident in which new fraternity
members were told to swim in a pond on a cold day in late November.
Later, one of the students passed out near a campfire and was
hospitalized in intensive care and diagnosed with hypothermia.

The 19-year-old student was released from the hospital the following
day. The incident occurred off campus at a site near Hammond Airport,
Abadie said.

Earlier this week, the fraternity admitted to the university's
judicial officer that it had violated the school's anti-hazing
policies.

Kappa Delta Tau was SLU's oldest fraternity, having been formed on
campus in 1931.

In the last major disciplinary incident involving an SLU fraternity,
Kappa Sigma's Mu Omega chapter in October 2000 was ordered suspended
for three years.

The fraternity accepted the suspension after an investigation of
drinking by underage students. The investigation began after an
18-year-old student fell from a balcony of the SLU Student Union.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press.