Sources: Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237, bosco@k-state.edu; Brandon Cutler, bcutler@k-state.edu; Brandon Harder, bharder@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Cheryl May, 785-532-6415, may@k-state.edu

Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

K-STATE JUDICIAL BOARD SANCTIONS FRATERNITY FOR SEPTEMBER INCIDENT

MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University interfraternity judicial board has completed its investigations surrounding a September incident in a fraternity house. Phi Delta Theta fraternity has been suspended for the incident, which resulted in a student being hospitalized.

K-State's interfraternity council judicial board determined that the chapter was responsible for hazing and misuse of alcohol. The board imposed sanctions on the fraternity and it will be on probationary status until Sept. 1, 2011.

"Sanctions include suspension, fines and educational programs for the leadership and membership," said Brandon Harder, president of Interfraternity Council. "There are to be no social activities and the fraternity will be monitored. Any violations will result in instant expulsion. The sanctions prohibit any events involving alcohol until February 2011.

"The leadership of Phi Delta Theta cooperated in admirable fashion with a very thorough investigation," Harder said. "Interfraternity Council and Greek affairs staff worked with Phi Delta Theta International headquarters, local alumni and Phi Delt student leadership."

"We were very fortunate to have a teachable moment rather than a memorial service," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. Overall I am comfortable with the way our IFC student leadership addressed this situation, the support our Greek affairs staff gave to the process, and the response from all of those affiliated with the fraternity. The sanctions are balanced yet firm and set the expectations for our students exactly where they need to be."

"If the fraternity has a violation of university policies during the time they are on probation, they will have their recognition withdrawn and no longer be a recognized fraternity at K-State," said Brandon Cutler, assistant director of Greek affairs at K-State.

Cutler said the parents of the young man who was hospitalized continue to be supportive of the fraternity and he is still a member of the chapter.

Bosco said K-State takes alcohol and hazing violations very seriously.

"Each semester, the president, two other members and the chapter adviser of each K-State fraternity and sorority are required to sign a 'Hazing Compliance Form' promising to comply with K-State's anti-hazing policy. Additionally, Kansas state law prohibits hazing.

"We have seen throughout K-State's history that our student chapter leadership and our alumni advisers take their responsibilities very seriously," Bosco said. "We do not overlook incidents of hazing or alcohol violations."

The hazing policy is online here:
http://www.k-state.edu/Greek/policies/documents/anti_hazing.pdf

The Kansas state law prohibiting hazing is online here:
http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatuteFile.do?number=/21-3434.html