IFC to probe hazing charge

By David Enders

Daily Staff Reporter

The University's Interfraternity Council suspended the campus chapter of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity last week to investigate hazing allegations.

"On late Thursday night last week, the IFC voted to temporarily suspend all chapter operations of the ZBT chapter here on campus because of an alleged violation of IFC hazing policy," IFC Vice President of External Relations Jerry Mangona said in a written statement.

"We want to get to the bottom of this," said Jonathan Yulish, ZBT's executive director.

A source from within the Greek system, who wished not to be identified, said the hazing incident occurred less than two weeks ago.

The victim had bleach either poured or sprayed on his face during a line up, where new members of the fraternity were being verbally and physically abused by active members, the source said, adding that the victim's burns were treated - but that he received permanent scaring and irreparable skin damage.

IFC has taken statements from witnesses, but is currently protecting their identities and declining to release testimony. "No other details regarding the incident will be released to the public until this case is resolved by our judiciary body," Mangona said.

ZBT was investigated by national officials earlier this year after parents of some prospective fraternity members complained of hazing, but Yulish said no one found substantial proof of the allegations.

Alpha Epsilon Pi, another campus fraternity, was disbanded earlier this year when pledges at that house spoke out about hazing after a pledge was shot in the groin with a BB gun.