Penn State’s Kappa Delta Rho fraternity has lost its recognition on the University Park campus for a three-year period. The suspension is based on an investigation after reports in March that fraternity members were posting photos to a private Facebook page that showed nude women, some of whom appeared unconscious. The investigation also revealed hazing and drug dealing.
Penn State's Interfraternity Council had decided to continue to recognize the fraternity, with stipulations. But Penn State imposed the harsher three-year suspension, telling the Interfraternity Council in a letter of response that Penn State "will not tolerate such actions.” Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims said the investigation made it clear some members of the fraternity had "promoted a culture of harassing behavior and degradation of women."
In the press release announcing the decision, Penn State went into greater detail about the hazing the investigation uncovered. The university says pledges were forced to "run errands, clean the fraternity house, and participate in boxing matches." They were also forced to hold a plank position with bottle caps under their elbows.
In addition to the suspension, the university’s Office of Student Conduct will handle any cases of individual fraternity members found in violation of Penn State’s student code of conduct.
