The University of Kansas announced Tuesday that it has banned Phi Delta Theta and Phi Gamma Delta, citing violations that include hazing. In redacted letters to the chapter, a former member of Phi Delta Theta shared concerns of hazing to nationals:'”Pillows and mattress pads were taken by active members or thrown out the window.””…had to sleep in his car multiple times to get sleep as a new member of Phi Delta Theta.”He claimed members retaliated after reporting his concerns, when members, “…pounded on his door, pushed him, spit on him, and threw beer bottles at him.” That member later states he became worried about his safety while living in the fraternity house, and had to be escorted out by Lawrence police.But says he received verbal assaults and threats thru texts and messages.One of them said, “You went through what we did, you went through what everyone in the last two decades went through. And now I’m the one who has to pay.” At Phi Gamma Delta an investigation found, “some chapter members trashed the living/sleeping areas of the new members, including urinating on some of the beds of the new members, tipping beds over, breaking into the lockers and scattering or stealing personal belongings.”During an outside investigation, a member said, “vomit was found on some of the beds, that rotten or old food was scattered around the areas; and that trash from garbage cans was spread on the fourth floor and the pledges were told that they could not clean it up until the following morning.” We reached out to both fraternities for comment and their national chapters for comment. Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity did send us this statement:”Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has been informed of the loss of recognition of its chapter at the University of Kansas. Phi Delta Theta holds the health and safety of its members in the highest regard and will not tolerate any actions that directly contradict the values and policies of the organization. Such actions will be met with the utmost level of accountability. Since learning of the hazing allegations, Phi Delta Theta has partnered with the university, chapter, and local volunteers to conduct an investigation, and the Fraternity continues to work through its process to determine final outcomes regarding the chapter and its members has been informed of the loss of recognition of its chapter at the University of Kansas. Phi Delta Theta holds the health and safety of its members in the highest regard and will not tolerate any actions that directly contradict the values and policies of the organization. Such actions will be met with the utmost level of accountability. Since learning of the hazing allegations, Phi Delta Theta has partnered with the university, chapter, and local volunteers to conduct an investigation, and the Fraternity continues to work through its process to determine final outcomes regarding the chapter and its members.” A KU spokesperson also sent us a statement that reads:“Members of these two fraternities – including the organizations’ leadership – knowingly engaged in systemic hazing that threatened the health and safety of students. Moreover, this behavior was the continuation of a well-documented pattern of hazing during the previous decade, demonstrating these organizations are unwilling to address this behavior themselves. This is not acceptable. KU students and organizations are expected to conduct themselves responsibly, and the majority of our sorority and fraternity community is doing that. We cannot allow these two chapters to undermine the great work being done in the community since the creation of the Sorority and Fraternity Life Task Force in 2018.”The fraternities have 30 days to appeal the university’s decision.
The University of Kansas announced Tuesday that it has banned Phi Delta Theta and Phi Gamma Delta, citing violations that include hazing.
In redacted letters to the chapter, a former member of Phi Delta Theta shared concerns of hazing to nationals:’
“Pillows and mattress pads were taken by active members or thrown out the window.”
“…had to sleep in his car multiple times to get sleep as a new member of Phi Delta Theta.”
He claimed members retaliated after reporting his concerns, when members, “…pounded on his door, pushed him, spit on him, and threw beer bottles at him.”
That member later states he became worried about his safety while living in the fraternity house, and had to be escorted out by Lawrence police.
But says he received verbal assaults and threats thru texts and messages.
One of them said, “You went through what we did, you went through what everyone in the last two decades went through. And now I’m the one who has to pay.”
At Phi Gamma Delta an investigation found, “some chapter members trashed the living/sleeping areas of the new members, including urinating on some of the beds of the new members, tipping beds over, breaking into the lockers and scattering or stealing personal belongings.”
During an outside investigation, a member said, “vomit was found on some of the beds, that rotten or old food was scattered around the areas; and that trash from garbage cans was spread on the fourth floor and the pledges were told that they could not clean it up until the following morning.”
We reached out to both fraternities for comment and their national chapters for comment.
Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity did send us this statement:
“Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has been informed of the loss of recognition of its chapter at the University of Kansas. Phi Delta Theta holds the health and safety of its members in the highest regard and will not tolerate any actions that directly contradict the values and policies of the organization. Such actions will be met with the utmost level of accountability. Since learning of the hazing allegations, Phi Delta Theta has partnered with the university, chapter, and local volunteers to conduct an investigation, and the Fraternity continues to work through its process to determine final outcomes regarding the chapter and its members has been informed of the loss of recognition of its chapter at the University of Kansas. Phi Delta Theta holds the health and safety of its members in the highest regard and will not tolerate any actions that directly contradict the values and policies of the organization. Such actions will be met with the utmost level of accountability. Since learning of the hazing allegations, Phi Delta Theta has partnered with the university, chapter, and local volunteers to conduct an investigation, and the Fraternity continues to work through its process to determine final outcomes regarding the chapter and its members.”
A KU spokesperson also sent us a statement that reads:
“Members of these two fraternities – including the organizations’ leadership – knowingly engaged in systemic hazing that threatened the health and safety of students. Moreover, this behavior was the continuation of a well-documented pattern of hazing during the previous decade, demonstrating these organizations are unwilling to address this behavior themselves. This is not acceptable.
KU students and organizations are expected to conduct themselves responsibly, and the majority of our sorority and fraternity community is doing that. We cannot allow these two chapters to undermine the great work being done in the community since the creation of the Sorority and Fraternity Life Task Force in 2018.”
The fraternities have 30 days to appeal the university’s decision.
