Fraternity receives probation
By Kristi Walker
Staff Reporter

Phi Gamma Delta fraternity has been put on a one-year probation after being found in violation of hazing, said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Don Mills.

The investigation team, consisting of a Campus Life staff member, representatives from Fiji International office and an officer of the Tau Chi chapter, determined the sanctions under which the fraternity will operate Friday.

“There were incidences where pledges were put in positions that would be considered humiliating or embarrassing,” Mills said.

Assistant Dean to Campus Life Mike Russel said the fraternity will be on probation, during which time no social events involving alcohol may occur. He said a Fiji alumnus will assume responsibility to redesign the pledge education program. The chapter will be supervised by a trusteeship made up of several Fiji alumni and will be responsible for sponsoring six campus and chapterwide education programs, he said. Russel said the chapter membership will be placed on a structured academic program.

Zerek Travis, Fiji president, said he and the other members are relieved that the investigation has been completed.

“I feel the punishment handed down was deserved for the actions,” Travis said. “We are all relieved it is over with and we are working hard to fix the problems.”

The investigation began Sept. 25 following a report to Campus Life from a student who felt he was a victim of hazing, Mills said.

Mills, Travis and Russel would not comment on the specific nature of the violation.

Russel said the upcoming alumni dinner will continue as scheduled. However, Fiji Islander and fraternity mixers will not be allowed if they involve alcohol. Russel said Fiji has been advised to consider five or more Fiji members present at a location a Fiji event and to take precaution as to their actions.

Travis said the fraternity will not continue to hold “house parties,” but the fraternity will take full advantage of the opportunity to have non-alcoholic parties and events.

Fiji graduate members, who will supervise pledge education and other chapter events, will be selected by Fiji’s national office, said Russel. Tiffany Abbott, TCU director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, will advise and supervise the fraternity as well, he said.

Abbott did not return calls to comment on this matter.

The chapter is required to develop five educational programs for the chapter and one program that will be open to the campus, Russel said. They will develop the topic and information for each one, he said.

Members of the fraternity with a current GPA of 2.5 or below will participate in the academic program involving a study hall and study hours, Russel said. The academic coach has not yet been selected, he said.

Zerek said that the fraternity’s goal is to maintain a chapter cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Mills said the national office is taking an active role in the restructuring of the fraternity.

“It is becoming common practice for nationals to step in and help a particular chapter grow and become stronger,” he said.

Mills said the only reason to go through the process of probation, and then allow the fraternity to come back with unconditional approval, is to help them become stronger and better.

“This will give members motivation to improve their chapter,” Mills said. “I think that one year from now they will go off probation and they will be one of the stronger chapters at TCU.”