IU will not investigate Phi Delts

The University decided to forgo an investigation of Phi Delta Theta fraternity because of an incident that occurred before the fall semester began. The incident was the cause of the fraternity getting its charter suspended.\nAn investigation by the University was underway until the charter was suspended by Phi Delta Theta nationals, said Steve Veldkamp, assistant dean of students..\n"We started an investigation, but since the nationals decided to suspend the charter we decided there was no organization to charge," Veldkamp said.\nPhi Delta Theta did not sponsor this incident, and it involved less then 10 members of the of the chapter, said senior and former president Zeb Holt.\nA meeting between the Phi Delta Theta house corporation board of IU and the General Council of Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity is scheduled for Nov. 13 to discuss whether the decision to \nsuspend the charter of the Alpha Chapter should be sustained, Holt said. \nGeneral Council decided to suspend the charter because the chapter violated University and Phi Delta Theta risk management policies relating to hazing and alcohol, according to a Phi Delta Theta statement. \nHolt explained the chapter tried to take a proactive role in punishing the individuals that were involved in the incident. The two chapter members that played the largest role were expelled from Phi Delta Theta based on a chapter vote, Holt said.\nThe remaining members involved in the incident would have chapter-proposed sanctions placed on them. However, the General Council suspended the charter so the whole chapter was punished, Holt said.\n"The recent behavior of the men has been a reflection of their character throughout this situation," Holt said. "No policy violations or structural damage has been committed, which is historically shown when charters are suspended."\nMany fraternities on campus purchase some type of insurance for incidents that could occur on their property. This is another issue the former chapter is facing. Their property and house are no longer insured because their charter was suspended, Holt said.\n"We paid approximately $17,000 for general liability starting on Oct. 1, 2004 thru Sept. 30, 2005," Holt said. "We had our coverage cancelled on Oct. 5 with no pro-rated refund"\nIf the decision stands to suspend the charter, the fall pledge class will be able to rush again in the spring and join a different house, Holt said. This will not be the case for the spring pledge class.\n"The spring '04 pledge class was initiated and only active for 31 days prior to our suspension," Holt said. "They potentially have no chance of knowing what greek life is like on our campus for their college career."\nVeldkamp explained the situation with Phi Delta Theta is different than others because the nationals pulled the charter before the University finished its investigation. \n"The University supports the headquarter's decision because they own the organization," Veldkamp said. \nRight now it is unsure when the Phi Delta Theta charter will be reinstated, but the University will go along with whatever decision Phi Delta Theta nationals make, Veldkamp said.\n"We would support whenever the headquarters would like to reinstate the charter," Veldkamp said.\n-- Contact staff writer Maggie Bozich at mbozich@indiana.edu.