KDR hazing investigation complete

Roughly three weeks after hazing allegations surfaced at the University of Toledo chapter of Kappa Delta Rho, The National Fraternity of Kappa Delta Rho, Inc. and UT have completed their investigations.

According to Joseph Rosenberg, executive director of Kappa Delta Rho National Fraternity, several individual members of UT's KDR chapter were found to be responsible for violating the organization's policies and procedures and they are being "held accountable" by the national organization's judicial process. Rosenberg refused to comment through a phone interview, but did respond to questions in an e-mail interview.

"I cannot comment on the specific examples regarding the alleged incident(s) since individuals may be cited and that could violate their rights under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and jeopardize any proceedings within the University of Toledo community," Rosenberg said. "We have been working closely with the administration at the University of Toledo and we want to make sure we are respectful of the process at UT and the individual's rights involved in the alleged incident(s)."

According to Rosenberg, the national organization was notified of the hazing allegations by UT's Office of Greek Life on the morning of Oct. 26. After being notified of the allegations, Rosenberg said an Educational Leadership Instructor from the national organization was sent to UT to conduct an investigation in collaboration with the Office of Greek Life and the Office of Judicial Affairs.

According to Interim Dean of Students Michele Martinez, UT's investigation is also complete and they will announce the results to the KDR chapter during a closed hearing with a Student Conduct Officer on Tuesday.

"This has been a very difficult time for this chapter and Greek Life in general, but we've been working with national [KDR] and we are aware of their outcome and as soon as we finish our procedures we would be happy to talk then," Martinez said.

In addition to the several individual brothers who will be held accountable, Rosenberg said the chapter will undergo "reorganization, which will be done in coordination with the administration of the University of Toledo." According to Rosenberg, the reorganization of the chapter will take an entire calendar year, followed by a full year of probation.

"The goal of this process is to ensure that the members of Pi Alpha chapter learn from this experience, and become an organization leader on the campus of the University of Toledo in operating and living within its espoused values," Rosenberg said.

According to Rosenberg, Hazing is counterproductive to society and is not condoned by the national organization. Once the organization is made aware of hazing allegations they are investigated and dealt with in accordance to the organizations' policies and procedures. The actions taken by the national organization depend on the severity of the incident, Rosenberg said.

"Action taken by the National Fraternity towards an individual brother of [the] Chapter could range from educational sanctions, reorganization or, in severe circumstances, revocation of the Chapter's charter or the membership of an individual," he said.

According to Rosenberg, the national organization has been a part of UT for 27 years and UT's chapter has been "exemplary within the community."

"If several individuals decided not to live up to the values of our honorable organization or the University of Toledo Community, that is very unfortunate," he said.