IFC launches hazing investigation

The Interfraternity Council Board of Control is launching an investigation into possible hazing incidents reported to have occurred at Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, following an inconclusive probe recently conducted by University officials.

The Daily Collegian has confirmed that Kappa Delta Rho, 420 E. Prospect Ave., was contacted Monday in regard to the issue, although Director of Student Life Stan Latta, IFC President Gordon Savage and Greek and Community Life Director Andrea Gaspardino would not confirm or deny which fraternity was under investigation.

Kappa Delta Rho President T.J. Compagnone refused to comment on the allegations last night, which he said have not yet been fully explained to him by IFC.

The investigations will focus on determining whether hazing did or did not occur at the fraternity, Savage said. Although he did not state which fraternity had been contacted, Savage said charges could be filed if the investigation produces information confirming the allegations. Until then, he emphasized, no charges will be filed, and the IFC will make no formal accusations.

Hazing is illegal in Pennsylvania and a violation of University policy.

"This (investigation) will become our No. 1 priority," Gaspardino said.

Information surrounding the suspected hazing incidents first surfaced during a question-and-answer session at the Feb. 24 IFC meeting, when University President Graham Spanier said five students were treated at the University Health Services for injuries that were likely the result of hazing.

Spanier brought up the allegations because he was distressed about reports of problems that could be the result of hazing, he said in an E-mail last night.

"We will not tolerate hazing at Penn State and would likely wish to terminate the affiliation of any student organization found guilty of hazing," Spanier said. "It was important for all IFC leaders to know that I was troubled by this report."

The report came from an unidentified University health care worker who noted that a number of patients received treatment for similar patterns of "ill health," Latta said. Because the information was obtained from a caregiver, Latta said, laws regarding confidentiality prevent the employee and the University from making public the details surrounding the incident.

Latta did confirm that he, Gaspardino and Savage met with the president and past pledge chair of a suspected fraternity Monday morning to discuss pledging practices at the chapter. At that time, the fraternity admitted to no involvement in any hazing activities, Latta said.

The University's next steps are to involve BOC in the investigation and educate IFC members, he said.

"Unless and until someone comes forward to file a complaint or until the Board of Control conducts its investigation, we can only take proactive steps," Latta said.

Those steps include establishing a mandatory annual education program for fraternity presidents and pledge chairs, to familiarize them with proper initiation processes.

"Hopefully the word is getting out that we're serious about preserving Greek life," Latta said, adding that these problems should be confronted as a system in an attempt to overcome them.

After those inquiries, the board will determine whether any evidence of hazing is apparent, Savage said.

A time frame for the investigations has not yet been established; however, the inquiries are beginning immediately, BOC Chair Sean Adler said.

"We want to get it done, obviously, as expediently as we can," he said.

IFC members want to complete their examination as soon as possible, both Savage and Gaspardino said, but lack of concrete information regarding the incident may slow the process.

"The only way that we're going to be able to proceed is if we receive information from those individuals," Gaspardino said.