University of Wisconsin Suspends Theta Chi Fraternity After Drug and Alcohol Violations
The Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) has been suspended from all university activities until later this year due to a series of student conduct violations that occurred in November 2017.
According to the news release by the university, the first incident occurred on November 4th where three underage women drank alcohol at a Theta Chi party. One of the women was a high school student who had to be taken to the hospital for alcohol detoxification treatment. Friends of the student reported that hospital staff found the drug Rohypnol, a powerful tranquilizer that is commonly used in cases of sexual assault and rape, in the high school student’s system. There is currently no indication that the high schooler was sexually assaulted.
The next incident occurred on November 18 when Madison police shut down a tailgate party after the partygoers disregarded warnings that the crowd had grown too large. Yet another underage woman was found drinking alcohol at the party.
The final infraction happened on November 20, when it had been reported that a Theta Chi member sent a text message to a woman requesting a picture with the Greek letters theta and chi and “rush” written on her breasts.
Suspension of the chapter means that Theta Chi will not be allowed to admit a fall pledge class. Additionally, the chapter will be unable to hold events and activities, and it will be banned from operating with the rights and privileges of a registered student organization.
“UW–Madison takes conduct violations such as this very seriously,” said Kevin Helmkamp, associate dean of students. “Theta Chi’s actions show that it has failed to ensure a safe and respectful environment for members of the campus community.”
The suspension will last until October 2018, after which Theta Chi will be placed on probation with alcohol restriction until November 2018. The fraternity has the right to appeal the decision, which was delivered today.
