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The Delta Upsilon fraternity at the University of Washington has lost its charter for code of conduct violations that included “hazing in the form of physical beatings, forced consumption of alcohol, intimidation, forced servitude and more.”
According to the Seattle Times, has not been recognized by the university since the beginning of fall 2017 semester due to previous disciplinary issues.
Victor Balta, a spokeswoman for the university, said that the national organization became aware of additional membership issues and potential violations of fraternity policies, and conducted a membership review.
While the Delta Upsilon fraternity’s former president denies the allegations, the national organization will not consider reinstating the chapter until fall 2022.
via Seattle Times:
Delta Upsilon’s violations were outlined in a letter dated June 28 by Robert Lannin, chairman of the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity board of directors. A copy was posted online.
Kasey Truong, who served as president of Delta Upsilon’s UW chapter in 2017-18, called the issues that led to the loss of the chapter “extremely minor.” He said the fraternity’s troubles started when video of a new fraternity member drinking Champagne as part of a voluntary initiation ceremony in summer 2017 was picked up on Snapchat. The UW “saw that as hazing,” he said. “Pretty much having fun was hazing.”
Later, he said, somebody sent an anonymous letter to the university alleging other violations of the fraternity’s charter. “Anonymous letters rule,” he said. “You’re guilty until you’re innocent. It’s all about saving face now.”
This is the latest major fraternity or sorority suspension or closure in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State and Penn State have all suspended fraternities in the wake of hazing and alcohol deaths.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who was shut down for hazing and the Lamda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas which has been accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of women without their permission.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
