Online Only: IFC Press Release
The Inter-Fraternity Council announced yesterday that it has launched a formal investigation into hazing allegations made against the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. The investigation now rests with the IFC Judiciary Committee.
IFC executives said they cannot give details about the investigation because of confidentiality rules.
Charlottesville Police and University officials are investigating Phi Delta Theta for allegedly hazing then-pledge John W. Cox. Police have said Cox, a second-year Engineering student, was forced to drink a fifth of rum in 30 minutes after sleeping a total of nine hours in the previous five days of the fraternity's "hell week."
State, University and IFC statutes all prohibit hazing.
Dean of Students Penny Rue said the University probably will file charges with one or more of these judicial bodies.
"Right now we are talking to involved parties," Rue said. "It's likely that we will file a case, and I suspect we might use multiple jurisdictions."
If a criminal court or the University Judiciary Committee found an individual guilty of hazing that resulted in bodily injury, that individual would face expulsion from the University, according to state law.
The UJC "would stick to the statutes and see if the facts of the case fit with what the statute said" in convicting an individual for hazing, UJC Chairman Brian Hudak said.
If the UJC found a student guilty of hazing that did not result in bodily injury, that student could face any penalty within UJC's power, from oral admonition to expulsion, Hudak said.
But the IFCJC only has the power to try a fraternity, not an individual student.
IFC President Wes Kaupinen said the IFCJC is still the appropriate judicial body to try the case.
Any fraternity found guilty of hazing by IFCJC could face sanctions ranging from a fine to a recommendation to the Office of the Dean of Students to revoke that fraternity's Fraternal Organization Agreement, said Mike Christopher, IFC vice president for judiciary.
The IFC released a statement yesterday explaining that the hazing allegations "in no way reflect on the University of Virginia fraternity system as a whole."
Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said he was impressed by the IFC's response.
Charlottesville Police Detective Blaine Cosgro said police are continuing their criminal investigation of the hazing allegations.
Criminal hazing is a Class One Misdemeanor.
Phi Delta Theta brother Willie Dersch said while he did not know many details, hazing does not occur at his fraternity. Phi Delta Theta President Adam Abatzis did not return phone calls.
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