Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter closed due to hazing and ineligible membership

Fox+North%2C+the+former+on-campus+residence+of+the+Delta+Kappa+Epsilon+fraternity%2C+with+the+DKE+letters+removed.+Photo+by+Joe+Maher.

Fox North, the former on-campus residence of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, with the DKE letters removed. Photo by Joe Maher.

Samantha Kruzshak, Editor in Chief

Effective immediately as of February 4, 2019, the Theta Chi chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon was officially closed due to evidence that the organization had inducted ineligible members and conducted hazing during the Fall 2018 new member initiation process.

 Prompted by an anonymous report made in early November, an investigation took place from the time of the report until the end of the Fall 2018 term. The chapter took responsibility for the allegations several weeks ago, when first presented with the report. DKE executive board members of the former Theta Chi chapter did not respond when extended the offer to comment on the subject.

 “The decision was ours,” stated Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Stephen Leavitt. The decision to remove DKE from campus did not include the organization’s nationals. Leavitt continued, “The Delta Kappa Headquarters was informed of the anonymous hazing report the same day we received it and they were informed of the College’s decision.”

“The activities Delta Kappa Epsilon was involved in are never allowed…

— Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Stephen Leavitt

 When asked how the investigation was conducted, Leavitt explained, “It is our policy to have a team of two trained investigators interview students and collect information pertinent to the allegations.” Leavitt and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life were unable to release additional details on the findings of the investigation due to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) student privacy regulations.

 DKE brothers will not have the option to join another Interfraternity Council Fraternity. As for the former on-campus DKE housing of Fox North, the letters have been removed from the outside of the house, and plans for the space in the following academic year remain unknown. The students who currently reside there will be allowed to live there until the end of this academic year.

 In a letter sent out by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to Delta Kappa Epsilon alumni, it was stated that “In the last five years Union has revised our Greek life policies in an effort to promote a more healthy Greek Life system on campus. We work closely with executive headquarters to ensure our chapters have a strong positive campus presence.”  

Another letter was sent out to the entirety of Union’s sorority and fraternity community on February 4 regarding the final decision to remove Delta Kappa Epsilon from campus. As stated in this letter, “We know that this news may be shocking and we hope you will join us in supporting the past and current members.”

In both letters to alumni and students, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life promised to “leave the door open” for the Theta Chi chapter to return to Union in the future. In order to do so, the fraternity must apply through Union’s recognition policy application and acquire approval to return.

“Greek life is having to change quickly and substantially to survive in the 21st century. The activities Delta Kappa Epsilon was involved in are never allowed, and we need to be strong in holding groups accountable,” finished Leavitt. “My aim is to have as strong and positive Greek life as is possible, and our actions here are in support of that aim.”

This is a deveoping story. Please check back for updates.