Maryland: University Shuts Down Delta Tau Delta (Hazing Alleged)

[exlurker]

The U. of Maryland campus paper, the Diamondback, has a report:

http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...ntedstoriestab

The Diamondback also has posted a "breaking news" article on the subject:

http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...-3270277.shtml

Brief excerpt from that "breaking news" story:

. . . Linda Clement, the university's vice president of student affiars, said in the Terp Weekly Edition report that officials are still deciding whether to pursue criminal charges against fraternity members.

Delta Tau Delta has been ordered to vacate their house on Fraternity Row by the end of the month.

Edited to add: earlier GC postings, when news about an investigation had just come out, are at:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=94412

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by exlurker

The U. of Maryland campus paper, the Diamondback, has a report:

http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...ntedstoriestab

The Diamondback also has posted a "breaking news" article on the subject:

http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...-3270277.shtml

"When will they ever learn?"
On the other hand, it took years for the school to act on this?

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by jon1856

"When will they ever learn?"
On the other hand, it took years for the school to act on this?

Yes, I wondered about that too: years of "rampant" hazing? I have no connection at all to the U. of Maryland, other than having been on or near the College Park campus a few times when in the D.C. area, so the ins and outs of Greek life there are a mystery to me. Could this be one of those they're-almost-untouchable-and-socially-very-grand-indeed situations we occasionally hear about? Other GLOs at that school have had action taken against them, so I'm not sure it's a case of an entirely clueless administration (but one never knows).

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by exlurker

Yes, I wondered about that too: years of "rampant" hazing? I have no connection at all to the U. of Maryland, other than having been on or near the College Park campus a few times when in the D.C. area, so the ins and outs of Greek life there are a mystery to me. Could this be one of those they're-almost-untouchable-and-socially-very-grand-indeed situations we occasionally hear about? Other GLOs at that school have had action taken against them, so I'm not sure it's a case of an entirely clueless administration (but one never knows).

Perhaps there maybe something too that 'Lurker.
Or it just took a few years until someone said enough of this....
As per several threads here, some people "see" hazing as what has to be endured in order to fit in (or risk being on the outside of things)

A few more details:
http://wjz.com/local/delta.tau.delta.2.677558.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...=sec-education

http://www.xanga.com/Patc124/6471143...ing-story.html

[marylandpi]

I think a lot of the problem at Maryland is the clueless administration and OFSL. Of course they are aware that fraternities are probably hazing, but until someone complains or they have some sort of proof actually thrown in their face, they ignore it.

[Leslie Anne]

I'm just sad and annoyed by this. If they were hazing then they deserved to be shut down. 20 years ago Delta Tau Delta was a great fraternity at Maryland...one of my favorites. Idiots!!

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by marylandpi

I think a lot of the problem at Maryland is the clueless administration and OFSL. Of course they are aware that fraternities are probably hazing, but until someone complains or they have some sort of proof actually thrown in their face, they ignore it.

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

I'm just sad and annoyed by this. If they were hazing then they deserved to be shut down. 20 years ago Delta Tau Delta was a great fraternity at Maryland...one of my favorites. Idiots!!

While I do agree with most of the above postings:
Per the updated links, it was not a matter as much of "IF" they were hazing as it may not have been reported and thus not investigated until now.
Many schools have a hazing report line. My National even has one.

[Leslie Anne]

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that they might not have been hazing. I'm sure they were. (Thus, my "idiots" comment.) My "if" was meant in more of a general way -- if any fraternity is hazing, they deserve to be shut down. IMO

I'm just sad to hear that it was Delt at Maryland.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that they might not have been hazing. I'm sure they were. (Thus, my "idiots" comment.) My "if" was meant in more of a general way -- if any fraternity is hazing, they deserve to be shut down. IMO

I'm just sad to hear that it was Delt at Maryland.

I thought as much, just wished to check and confirm.
I do agree with you.

I also checked around to see just what rules and laws the chapter was operating or subject to:
School's Code of Conduct:
http://www.jpo.umd.edu/
http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/docs/v100b.pdf

Schools' Hazing code:
http://studentconduct.umd.edu/conduct/hazing.html
http://studentconduct.umd.edu/conduct/prohibited.html
http://studentconduct.umd.edu/conduct/alcoholpol.html

State Law:
http://www.stophazing.org/laws/md_law.htm

From their National:
http://www.delts.org/About/FAQ/FAQ.aspx#hazing
What is Delta Tau Delta's stance on hazing?

We do not condone hazing in our undergraduate chapters, in fact it is outlawed by our constitution. As a values based organization, this behavior contradicts our value of integrity and our mission - Committed to Lives of Excellence.
Back to top
What is Delta Tau Delta's alcohol policy?

Delta Tau Delta is not an alcohol free organization. We are dealing with the issue in two ways: Education and environment. We believe the problem does not lay with the consumption alcohol, but with the abuse and "drunkenness" that result. The Delts Talking About Alcohol (DTAA) program is designed to educate our members about the risks associated with alcohol. With regards to the environment our members live in, we have challenged our chapters to tell us how they will be dealing with alcohol in their chapter house. By allowing our chapters to make their own decisions regarding alcohol, we can now hold them accountable for their actions and decisions. 100% of our chapters have responded to this challenge by developing standards of behavior with regards to alcohol use and abuse. More on our full stance on alcohol.
What is Delta Tau Delta's stance on hazing?

We do not condone hazing in our undergraduate chapters, in fact it is outlawed by our constitution. As a values based organization, this behavior contradicts our value of integrity and our mission - Committed to Lives of Excellence.
Back to top
What is Delta Tau Delta's alcohol policy?

Delta Tau Delta is not an alcohol free organization. We are dealing with the issue in two ways: Education and environment. We believe the problem does not lay with the consumption alcohol, but with the abuse and "drunkenness" that result. The Delts Talking About Alcohol (DTAA) program is designed to educate our members about the risks associated with alcohol. With regards to the environment our members live in, we have challenged our chapters to tell us how they will be dealing with alcohol in their chapter house. By allowing our chapters to make their own decisions regarding alcohol, we can now hold them accountable for their actions and decisions. 100% of our chapters have responded to this challenge by developing standards of behavior with regards to alcohol use and abuse. More on our full stance on alcohol.

http://www.delts.org/News/News.aspx

[DeltAlum]

What a swell way to get back after a week on the road...

It's good to read that our Central Office cooperated with the investigation and didn't appeal the decision.

It underscores our zero tolerance policy on hazing -- although it would be silly to think that things don't happen behind the Central Offices back elsewhere. It's an unfortunate fact of Greek life.

Given that the former Maryland president and current head of the UM system is a Delt, I would like to hope that the chapter didn't get away with anything that they shouldn't have.

I'm going to conjecture that the hazing problem goes deeper than the two chapters that have been punished this year, though.

[jon1856]

Follow-up update:
University of Maryland frat pledges suck on pigs' feet in hazing ritual
College Park (Map, News) - Photos of blindfolded pledges sucking pigs’ feet have surfaced in an apparent hazing ritual at a University of Maryland fraternity that has been disbanded by the university.
Officials at College Park disbanded the 48-member Delta Tau Delta fraternity last week after an investigation into anonymous reports of hazing discovered alcohol abuse and “mental, emotional and physical duress” dating to spring 2005, the university said.
Delta Tau Delta did not contest the allegations.
http://www.examiner.com/a-1282939~Un...ng_ritual.html

[Zeta13Girl]

From what I heard UMD does their fair share of hazing both sororities and fraternities. My sister went to UMD, but didnt go greek, one of her friends on her floor joined a sorority (not sure which one) and she told me some interesting stories about what her friend had to do and that she couldnt talk to anyone outside of the sorority during hell week.

Thus my sister believes that I was horribly hazed when I joined my sorority. Even though I never told her anything about pledging.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by exlurker

Yes, I wondered about that too: years of "rampant" hazing? I have no connection at all to the U. of Maryland, other than having been on or near the College Park campus a few times when in the D.C. area, so the ins and outs of Greek life there are a mystery to me. Could this be one of those they're-almost-untouchable-and-socially-very-grand-indeed situations we occasionally hear about? Other GLOs at that school have had action taken against them, so I'm not sure it's a case of an entirely clueless administration (but one never knows).

I think it might be. It's like deja vu with SAE from almost 4 years ago and Beta from 2 years ago. Since Delt was a "prestigious" chapter with connections, I think the Maryland Delt alumni/Delt HQ wanted to try to save them. I heard that things were getting better (as of spring 07 when I graduated), but apparently not. I'm glad the University put their foot down.

Originally Posted by marylandpi

I think a lot of the problem at Maryland is the clueless administration and OFSL. Of course they are aware that fraternities are probably hazing, but until someone complains or they have some sort of proof actually thrown in their face, they ignore it.

Thankfully, I'm not familiar with the investigation process or what it takes for OFSL to investigate a hazing situation. Sure, investigate based on heresay, but there definitely needs to be proof if a chapter is going to be closed.

Originally Posted by Zeta13Girl

From what I heard UMD does their fair share of hazing both sororities and fraternities. My sister went to UMD, but didnt go greek, one of her friends on her floor joined a sorority (not sure which one) and she told me some interesting stories about what her friend had to do and that she couldnt talk to anyone outside of the sorority during hell week.

Please do not assume that this is indicative of all sororities at Maryland. My chapter was and is staunchly anti-hazing. About a week after bid day, all new members of all chapters attend a Panhellenic-sponsored program about hazing, including the definition of hazing, examples of hazing, why it is harmful, what to do if you think you are being hazed, etc.

Thankfully, my chapter never hazed while I was there, and I can only speculate from rumors I have heard about other chapters, so I don't really know anything other than the rumors of hazing in other chapters have decreased.

[exlurker]

The March 24, 2008 online edition of the campus paper has a followup article on hazing, with quotes from an administrator and from an IFC officer:

http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...-3279617.shtml

Apparently the administrator believes the school's current policy doesn't need to be changed, while the IFC president wants to see some changes made. Excerpts from longer article:


Vice President of Student Affairs Linda Clement yesterday called two hazing violations at the university this year isolated incidents and said the university's current hazing policy needs no changes.

"I don't really believe that this is a widely recognized practice," she said. " . . . in general, I really just don't believe any of that sort of thing is going on here."

. . . Under university policy, officials don't investigate hazing unless they are confronted with evidence of it - a policy Clement said is effective enough.

In contrast, Interfraternity Council President Marty Bock yesterday promised the Greek community governing board would bring forth new anti-hazing initiatives next year. However, he echoed Clement's assertion that the hazing incidents are not common. . . .

Edited to add link / address for an editorial in the March 26 '08 campus paper:

http://media.www.diamondbackonline.c...-3282909.shtml

[ZetaGirl22]

Wow. That is really really sad. Delts were some of the nicest, most down to earth guys when I graduated May 2002. I knew several of the brothers and it didnt appear that hazing was an issue with them when I was a collegian. I can say for a fact that I was never even once remotely hazed during my new member period. There were rumors about other chapters hazing, but there were only one or two names that would consistently come up out of a system with 14 chapters. And if there WAS anything questionable going on with the sororities at least, the national organizations would get wind of it and act WELL before the university did anything. We had one sorority that was "cleaned house" on the semseter I pledged by their nationals for hazing. How sad Delt is gone. Since I joined my chapter in Spring '99 there have been SEVEN fraternities to lose their house on the row. I havent been back to College Park in a year and a half but I am sure that the row is nothing of how I remember it.