TCU students have many experiences that shape their time at school: the supply of free purple t-shirts, memories of Market Square Meals, and for 51 percent of TCU students, greek life, according to the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
According to the Fraternity and Sorority Life website, “TCU is committed to maintaining high standards for our fraternities and sororities by upholding organization and University policies, procedures and expectations.” This includes the semesterly report on violations by each chapter.
The 2017 report found three Greek organizations in violation of the anti-hazing policy at TCU. Delta Delta Delta, Delta Tau Delta and Pi Beta Phi were all found to be in violation of the policy against hazing. There are also state laws that prohibit hazing.
In 1987, Texas Legislature enacted an anti-hazing law. The state law provides penal sanctions in the event of a conviction of hazing, the hazing memorandum reports. Texas law defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing or reckless act occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, hold office in or maintaining membership in an organization whose members are or include students at an educational institution.”
As such, the University has announced disciplinary actions against each of the chapters in violation.
Pi Beta Phi is under an action plan with the headquarters of their national organization. Eily Cummings, senior director of marketing and communications for Pi Beta Phi nationals, said they “strictly prohibit hazing in all of its forms.”
“The Fraternity provides an anonymous hazing hotline to its chapter members and requires all members to sign a Statement of Obligations of Membership annually, which includes language on Pi Beta Phi’s anti-hazing policy.”
Cummings said that volunteers from nationals will be working with the TCU chapter to further educate members on the seriousness of Pi Beta Phi’s anti-hazing policy.
Delta Tau Delta’s chapter on campus was suspended as a result of their hazing violations.
“This is a painful but necessary action,” said Jim Russell, Delta Tau Delta national executive vice president. “This chapter, including its leadership, willfully violated not only the Fraternity’s risk management policy but also our stated values. Hazing is an aberration to those values. It cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Russell added that the national organization will be working with the collegiate members and has a “strong desire” to return.
For Delta Delta Delta, its violation resulted in the chapter being required to “uphold directives set forth by National Headquarters, including regular meetings with chapter leadership, assist with seeking out guest speakers and offering guidance in the formation of committees and newly-developed chapter protocols,” according to the Fraternity and Sorority Life report.
Neither the TCU chapter or a representative from Delta Delta Delta nationals responded to a request for an interview.
In addition, Sigma Alpha Epsilon was accused of hazing and while there was “insufficient evidence to determine chapter involvement”, two members were expelled from the chapter and a membership review was conducted by a Sigma Alpha Epsilon regional officer.
Both Kappa Sigma and Sigma Phi Epsilon received allegations of hazing but were found to not be in violation of the anti-hazing policies.
To report any acts of hazing, students can contact the Campus Life -Dean’s Office 817-257-7926, TCU Police 817-257-7777 or the Hazing Hotline 817-257-HAZE, the email reports.
In the same report, three organizations, Beta Theta Pi, Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon, were found to be in violation of event hosting or alcohol policies.
Beta Theta Pi received sanctions for their national organization and are working on a “plan to ensure the violation will not occur in the future.” According to the FSL report, all sanctions have been completed.
Lambda Chi Alpha who were “residents of the home in question should apologize to neighbors” and all members of the fraternity must participate in five hours of community service, two of which must be outside the organization’s designated philanthropy – Feeding America.
Sigma Phi Epsilon was not allowed to host any additional fall events and worked with the national organization to “execute an education plan,” including a chapter wise presentation on Sigma Phi Epsilon and TCU risk management policies.
The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity was found in violation of social event policy and as a result, lost one social event and imposed self-sanctions, which included the removal of the social chair. The new social chair must meet regularly with an FSL chapter coach.
Zeta Tau Alpha sorority received a chapter alcohol violation and received a $500 fine, 100 hours of community service requirement and mandatory completion of an alcohol education program.
FSL did not return a request for comment.
