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Wake Forest University has suspended the Psi Delta chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity due to reports of unapproved parties and alleged sexual assaults at the fraternity house.
According to a statement from Wake Forest spokeswoman Katie Neal, the university suspended the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity on September 2 — one day after the fraternity held an unregistered party at its house at 1101 Polo Road. Wake Forest code of conduct requires all fraternities and social groups that serve alcohol at gatherings to register their parties with the university ahead of time.
Due to the suspension, the Dela Kappa Epsilon fraternity may not function or participate in chapter-related meetings, recruitment, social functions, or activities on or off Wake Forest University’s campus.
Furthermore, if the fraternity violates the terms of their suspension, individuals and/or the chapter may be charged with additional violations of the Student Conduct Code.
via Wake Forest:
This interim suspension is the result of an alleged incident on September 1, 2018. Specifically, it was reported that the fraternity hosted an unregistered party at the chapter house located at 1101 Polo Road. Since that incident, the university received additional reports of unregistered parties hosted by Delta Kappa Epsilon.
The organization was placed on interim suspension out of concern for the safety and general welfare of the community. The investigation into the events on September 1 is underway. The interim suspension will remain in effect until the investigation is complete and next steps are identified in writing by the Office of the Dean of Students.
Of recent concern, the Wake Forest University Police Department received two separate reports on September 16 of alleged sexual assaults at 1101 Polo Road, also known as the Delta Kappa Epsilon House, on September 14. University Police officials do not know if the two anonymous reports are about one alleged incident or two separate alleged incidents. It is also unknown at this time if the alleged incidents are individual or organizational in nature. After evaluating the criteria outlined by The Clery Act, University Police and the Title IX Office determined these reports warranted a timely warning which was sent by email to the university community on September 17.
Delta Kappa Epsilon was established at Wake Forest in 1970 and is one of 11 fraternities at the school.
You can read the university’s full statement on the fraternity’s suspension at the Wake Forest website.
This is the latest major fraternity or sorority lawsuit, investigation, 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 Lambda 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, West Virginia University, and Penn State University have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
