Three other UI Greek chapters investigated for hazing, alcohol this semester

IOWA CITY — In addition to its Alpha Delta Phi fraternity — suspended last week after police say they found 56 blindfolded pledges in a basement with food thrown on them — the University of Iowa is or has investigated three other Greek chapters this fall.

Two are facing hazing allegations and the third is accused of violating the university’s alcohol policy. Sanctions are pending, although all three are cooperating with investigators and working toward a solution.

“I am pleased with the progress we are making,” student accountability administrators wrote in letters to the three chapters under investigation.

Early last Friday, UI police responding to a fire alarm reported finding 56 blindfolded pledges in the basement at the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, which formed a chapter last year at the UI. The UI Office of Student Accountability told the fraternity to suspend operations while it investigated, and its national headquarters launched its own hazing investigation of the chapter.

Alpha Sigma Phi

On Sept. 26, the UI Office of Student Accountability received a report that active members of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity had blindfolded new members at a dinner and forced them to drink water with vinegar in it, according to an Oct. 18 letter the university sent the chapter.

“On a separate occasion, it was noted that new members were made to drink a half gallon of milk and then engage in vigorous exercise until all new members had vomited,” according to the letter, which came with a follow-up on Oct. 23.

“In addition to the allegations previously indicated in the letter you received … we received an additional report of concern — your organization allegedly required pledges to wear embarrassing outfits and engage in degrading activities,” according to the note that warned, “If these allegations are correct, it is possible that your organization may have violated student organization policies.”

After meeting with fraternity leaders and members in October, UI investigators gleaned more information — including indications the vinegar incident “was meant as a joke,” according to a memo provided to The Gazette in response to a public records request.

“As it pertains to the allegations related to milk and exercise, (a fraternity representative) indicated that the new members were participating in a ‘hot ones’ challenge, which required people to eat food with hot sauce on it,” according to the memo.

Although the milk wasn’t “required,” many members drank it to counteract the hot sauce. And then a fraternity member “made the decision to have new members perform exercise.”

“Some of the new members did vomit, but not all,” the memo said.

Allegations related to costumes and degrading behavior happened “as a team bonding activity,” which the fraternity representative said “was a mistake like the other two instances.”

Agreed-upon sanctions for the fraternity include disciplinary probation through May 2025, with additional violations resulting in more severe punishment; a mandatory update to its membership orientation program; hazing education; restriction against certain individuals holding leadership roles in the fraternity; and public notification on the UI accountability website.

Phi Kappa Psi

On Sept. 4 — weeks before the UI Interfraternity Council was to begin its delayed recruitment, under a new policy moving the process for fraternities and sororities to the fourth week of the fall semester — UI administrators sent the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity a letter regarding allegations it violated the Code of Student Life.

The fraternity was accused of hosting an Aug. 31 tailgate at 300 Melrose Ave. with neighbors reporting concerns to the city, including that attendees were spilling onto other another property, urinating outside and throwing garbage.

Witnesses said alcohol was distributed and they saw new members cleaning the property the next morning. During the UI investigation, the fraternity was placed on interim suspension — barring it from recruiting new members, among other things.

“This decision was based on information available to me to date regarding the reported concerns, the nature of the concerns, and concerns that the behavior will continue and potentially escalate this weekend with the upcoming Iowa State vs. Iowa football game,” Associate Dean of Accountability and Care Angela Ibrahim-Olin wrote in the letter.

During the investigation, a fraternity representative acknowledged members were present at the tailgate but denied knowledge of involvement beyond that. The fraternity did agree to take action to decrease the chance of further misconduct — including holding a risk management workshop, partnering with Iowa City police for safe tailgating education and drafting a strategic plan.

Alpha Kappa Alpha

On or around Sept. 26, the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority was accused of engaging in potential hazing aimed at excluding potential members.

According to an Oct. 2 letter from the UI Office of Student Accountability, “The timelines provided to complete the interest letter, multiple letters of recommendation, official transcripts, proof of volunteering, and a multitude of memorized facts created substantial barriers and hindered student engagement for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with your organization.”

“Additionally, there is concern around the exclusion of your regional adviser, and the desire to ‘not leave a paper trail’ during the process."

The sorority was placed on interim suspension of all operations, intake and activities. Following a meeting Oct. 7, however, the university rescinded the interim measures — having “outlined the beginnings of a resolution agreement for your chapter.”

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com