EMILY SHANE
Managing Editor
The operations of the Ohio Iota chapter of Phi Delta Theta have been suspended pending the results of an investigation into alleged violations of the risk management policies, specifically hazing.
While the national fraternity headquarters investigates, the chapter is forbidden from meeting as a chapter. This includes social events, brotherhood activities and weekly chapter meetings.
The complaint was submitted anonymously to the national headquarters of Phi Delta Theta, not Denison. On Feb. 29, Director of Chapter Services Mike Wahba notified the university.
Wahba said that Phi Delta Theta staff and a local alumni volunteer conducted interviews on campus last week and that information is currently being reviewed. The investigation should be concluded by the end of this week or early next week.
Denison is not directly involved in the investigation but said they would honor the decision. Aimee Maczko is the associate director of campus leadership and oversees fraternity and sorority life. “Denison’s response is as it usually is. It’s a collaborative partnership response to headquarters,” Maczko said. “So we also then send out a letter that says we are in support of the fraternity’s decision and we are here to help you.”
During recruitment in January, 14 men received bids to join the fraternity. They were in the process of pledging and had operations not been suspended, would have been initiated, bringing the number of active members to about 40. The members of the chapter did not respond to requests for comment and the Interfraternity Council declined to comment.
The Ohio Iota chapter celebrated their 100th year of continuous operations at Denison in 2015. According Maczko, there “haven’t been major violations with the chapter” in the 5 years she has worked at Denison.