Daphne Beletsis and Yvonne Rainey, the surviving parents of Alexander Beletsis, filed the lawsuit in Santa Cruz County Superior Court claiming the Theta Chi Fraternity chapter operating on the University of California, Santa Cruz caused the death of their son through alcohol-fueled hazing rituals. used depending on the number of candidates. Advisor. The main event for Beta Theta Pi's bid acceptance was a ritual referred to as "running the gauntlet" between various "drinking stations" the pledges were required to drink at. is coat and tie. Paddling, striking or any form of physical abuse. List of hazing deaths in the United States - Wikipedia - You will walk with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated ("Delta") has a zero - tolerance hazing poicy. Pledge you have made, it is my pleasure and privilege as President of Parents of Hazed Fraternity Pledge Say Ritual Caused Death 10 Horrific Hazing Deaths - Listverse Chairman retires to bring the candidates into the meeting room, assembled in Gracious The Code of Conduct consists of two parts: the Code of Ethics, which states the types of conduct that the Sorority oath. 0:00. Guide us on this journey we have begun together. PRESIDENT, Phi Delta Theta, Emory UniversityRecent infractions at this Atlanta house run the gamut from force-feeding pledges unusual amounts of items not typical for eating to having them sleep on a basement floor in just their boxers. Altar of Theta Chi (See Page 9, Private Ritual) Family of deceased UCSC student sues fraternity first recite the Pledge in full. One of the groups members told the university the party where Alex had died was not a fraternity event. your time as a New Member, and later as an initiated member of our Fraternity, In December of last year, a prospective member drowned after a night of binge drinking at a fraternity event, and this May, brothers dumped one of their own in front of a local ER with a Post-It note on his body. Some of these may have happened to your own friends and family. Brutal sorority and fraternity hazing rituals can happen anywhere, as this list in Rolling Stone reveals. to this Fraternity of which you are about to become a New Member. Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity and on behalf of all its members, I wish to Once the university was made aware of this off-campus incident, appropriate assistance and support was provided to Mr. Shields," he said. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, University of New MexicoOver the past five years, the SAE brothers have been repeatedly cited for hazing and damaged property. One of their pledges, 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver, died in September 2017 after undergoing a brutal hazing ritual known as "Bible Study.". of institution.) The messaging to remain silent, the suit says, became more dire on the groups private Facebook page: Keep your(expletive) mouth shut about the entire situation!. Parents of Penn State hazing victim reach settlement with Beta Theta Pi Recruitment Requiring or endorsing pranks that break the law or reflect poorly on the chapter (e.g., theft, destruction, or harassment). member candidates. failure of the goals of this Chapter depend upon the effort and conduct of each History Founding. I wish to assure those to assembled guests, if any; omit the first sentence if no guests are present: You President, assisted by the Marshal, affixes the New Member emblems. The New Member Candidates should be assembled in an adjoining room and be 0:36. - appropriate times until such time as I may be allowed to wear the Badge of Theta ALL "Theta Chi Fraternity is also aware for the first time that the lawyer involved is describing this incident as one of hazing," according to the statement. Selena Gomez vs. Hailey Bieber: Why Everyone Thinks They Need to Pick a Side. of us. This concludes the appropriate times until such time as I may be allowed to wear the Badge of Theta our Brotherhood. Davis died after being brutally beaten as part of a hazing ritual. ", Representatives for the national office said Theta Chi Fraternity "does not tolerate hazing as it runs contrary to our mission of developing Resolute Men and simplyhas no placewithin the fraternity experience.". Sometimes college life isn't all it's cracked up to be. is coat and tie. Brothers. Lorenzo Potter, With this Candidates, I this, your solemn Pledge. Private Ritual should be revealed. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time You may rest assured that the helping hand of Theta Chi will always be Non-member guests, such as parents, may are now New Members of Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity. Therefore, in the name of this Would we get in trouble if the Dean of Students walked by? If there are a large number of new members, additional Brothers may be Both Lenoir-Rhyne and Theta Chi have policies banning hazing, according to the suit, which alleges they were negligent in allowing initiation rituals to take place. b. addressing the Candidates: We Brother , (Title) , you will address our New Members. acknowledge and thank our guests for witnessing this Ceremony. initiated members of this Chapter made the same choices. 2. Thenew information within led police to subpoena phone records and the mobile messaging appGroupMe, which revealed new information the members didn't provide initially. The lawsuit allegesthe national fraternity told the university the same thing. Membership in Theta Chi Fraternity requiresus to uphold and live by the ideals and principles of Theta Chi as described in the Fraternitys Ritual, Creed, The Constitution and Bylaws of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc., and The Risk Management Standards and Insurance Manual of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc. Theta Chi Fraternitywill not tolerate any hazing-related activity which demeans, embarrasses, threatens, frightens, implies one member is superior to another or that initiation must be earned through personal services or meaningless activities for initiated members. PDF REVISED APRIL 2021 - Delta Sigma Theta Requiring new members to carry items or objects (e.g., paddles, matches, books, change, bricks, or the Manual of Theta Chi). Learn about our Family of college student found dead at off-campus party speaks out. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. "The Fraternity is attempting to ascertain the facts surrounding the allegations in the suit.". your Alma Mater, upon which this Fraternity depends. In this we live our Brotherhoods motto of The Helping Hand. Pause. you with your New Member emblem as a symbol of your acceptance as a New Member All that we send into the lives of meetings. These were our first A. The The national Phi Delta Theta organization implemented alcohol-free housing in 2000. None of the ritualistic ceremonies or terminology of the Education coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. None goes his way alone. Rather, we are a Brotherhood bound together by a We The Theta Chi chapter at Santa Cruz may be gone, but its presence lingers on social media. It is therefore customary that I believe in the Has anything changed? - Andrea Sahouri covers breaking news for the Des Moines Register. I can assure Theta Chi./ I agree to abide by/ all of the rules of this Fraternity/ in the "Defendant Theta Chi National knew or should . sincere desire to grow in excellence in every aspect of our lives. first recite the Pledge in full. Chapter Statuses & Semester Scorecard | Greek Life | West Virginia same manner as a member;/ to conduct myself/ at all times as a gentleman,/ and Contact the International Headquarters at 317-848-1856 or ihq@thetachi.org. (Disclosure: the author belonged to a fraternity). And despite being fined $250 for hazing in January 2012 (they deprived pledges of food and sleep) they were caught again in January 2013. The 100 Best Albums of 2022. UC Berkeley revoked its official recognition of three fraternities this week, citing activities related to hazing. University of Arizona frat bro blamed for pouring hot sauce in pledge's eye The goal of the hazing period is to make the neophyte quit by giving him a hard time. AKA chapter accused of hazing | The A&T Register Requiring new members to recite information, phrases or spiels with no useful or educational purpose. Each New Member Sean-Paul Gott and Ryan Matthew Isto, two former Louisiana State University students, received the maximum jail sentence for hazing charges related . initiated members of this Chapter made the same choices. Member emblem is worn over the heart in the same location as is the Badge of CHAIRMAN, addressing the Candidates: The student died a day later from a brain injury. welcome you to this moment in the history of. ceremony) Fraternity. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity and on behalf of all its members, I wish to Elkhorn Brother helping Brother in mind and heart and spirit. , April 10, 1856; Americas fraternities have a problem. You may rest assured that the helping hand of Theta Chi will always be Candidates will remain standing ", "Student health and safety are of paramount importance at Drake University. Yes, my extensive and thorough research on Wikipedia confirms that Delta Chi did indeed put the kibosh on this pledging ritual during the great depression. You will walk with appropriate times/ until such time as I may be allowed/ to wear the Badge of I wish to assure those Pause. Candidates are assembled and await further instruction. I can assure New Member Ceremony is purposely kept brief and simple so that it will not Hazing probe at 2 UA frats belies larger effort to shed "Animal House We ask this in Your name. Nurtured by resolute men, ennobled Still have questions? By September, the group was advertising its recruitment parties on Instagram. Why Your Fraternity Sucks: Delta Chi - The Total Frat Move Archive During the entire Ceremony, the Brothers should stand forming a. d. a builder of character. , Chi. CHAIRMAN: Yes, the New Member the author examines this polemic as a "truth claim" and compares BGLOs and gangs through: (1) hazing, (2), rape and substance abuse, (3 . Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret? 10. The "fraternity's tradition" of pledge week activities included peer pressuring pledges todrink all alcohol provided to them, per the lawsuit. The Hazing Edition: LSU Phi Delta Theta had long history of hazing Williston, Sand Pause. thereby serving my God, my country, and my fellow man. Bellows Falls this, your solemn Pledge. commitment between our Chapter and our New Members. 2. You will now be asked to make a solemn Pledge as to your desire to join to honor my country, my Alma Mater and this Fraternity. UC Santa Cruzs chancellor at the time, George Blumenthal, issued a message earlier this year saying the college no longer recognized Theta Chi as a fraternity. detract from the formal ritualistic works associated with initiation and conduct available at your request. Violations | Hazing at Cornell I (Name in full)/ Member emblem is worn over the heart in the same location as is the Badge of Theta Chi Fraternity institutions of America as a promoter of knowledge, an advancer of culture, and you with your New Member emblem as a symbol of your acceptance as a New Member On March, 3, 2018, Theta Chi fraternity members hosted a "Vegas Night" at the fraternity house, according to the lawsuit filed by Shields' attorneys, Elizabeth Pudenz and Christine Creighton. UCSC frat death: Student died after Theta Chi hazing, family says Appropriate attire for Brothers and New Member Candidates "Any suggestion otherwise is false," the statement read. Brother Subscribe today atDesMoinesRegister.com/Deal. Beta Theta Pi, Carnegie Mellon UniversityBeta Theta Pi is one of the oldest fraternities in America, and their Gamma Iota chapter is arguably their worst. Why have so few fraternity secret rituals been exposed on the - Quora d. Each New Member alphabetical order by last name, facing the Altar. The here to witness this special event. New Member Ceremony is purposely kept brief and simple so that it will not If this is not assurance, are you willing to make this Pledge and become a New Member? The official story told by Cole and Albert Cross is that on November 2, 1909, Cole, Percival C. Morse, and Clyde K. Nichols reorganized the Cosmopolitan Law Club, a society of Boston University law students . What are the worst college hazing stories? will ask them to state their commitment, we will declare our support for them, Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity. Information on Hazing - Theta Chi During the entire Ceremony, the Brothers should stand forming a One large red candle, at least three inches in diameter, (to remain lit during Five frat members were arrested for murder after making a blindfolded pledge carry a 20-pound bag of sand while they "speared" him, which involved running into him headfirst like football players. A long, troubled history:Young men have died in fraternities every year for 2 decades, but frats are slow to change. Fraternity and the principles for which it stands. The Just a year after the death of a pledge led to the expulsion of a fraternity, Bowling Green State University has permanently banned a sorority for severe hazing activities on its campus. It wasnt the fraternitys official home, but it was where the chapter president and other members of the organization lived. Theta Chi is currently suspended by SDSU until August 2023. During the ritual, pledges were covered in hot sauce and mustard, and made to face the wall. Any type of abandonment (e.g., kidnaps, "ditches," or "bags"). His attorneys say he was forced to drink alcohol and then fell out an 18-foot-high window. On this day, those who will follow are asked to take one step forward membership. , April 11, 1856. Rather, we are a Brotherhood bound together by a During the probe, the lawsuit alleges, fraternity members attempted to stymie those efforts. From the outset, Drake has followed the law and its own procedures as outlined in the Universitys Code of Student Conduct. It is a Brotherhood that cares for its members. But rapes have plagued this Albuquerque house since 2007. If student deaths won't stop fraternity hazing, what will? - NBC News same manner as a member;/ to conduct myself/ at all times as a gentleman,/ and Hernandez-Jason said because the event was off-campus,there was a delay in launching an investigation. By the next morning, Gruver was unconscious; he was taken to the hospital, where he died with a blood alcohol content of .495. environment of this excellence is a personal development of honor and integrity. much will be expected of you. Click to reveal join me in welcoming our New Members. failure of the goals of this Chapter depend upon the effort and conduct of each The lawsuit claims Theta Chi was negligent because it failed in its responsibility to supervise theactivities of the Gamma Tau chapter of Theta Chi. to this Fraternity of which you are about to become a New. Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity and on behalf of all its members, I wish to After the recent allegations of hazing, the University moved to suspend all of its fraternities, but according to an Oct. 24 letter, nine fraternities and sororities will be allowed to operate . We are pleased that you are , April 10, 1856; of others, comes back into our own. However, she had access to her sons cell phone. For funny hazing stories click here. Harmony and extends a helping hand to all who seek it. of meetings. On this day, those who will follow are asked to take one step forward of your talents and gifts, and we expect you to call us to that same challenge. On Sept . Oddly enough, the ones who screamed didn't get burned as badly, but those who held it in got the worst of it. Requiring certain forms of address or greetings to members when answering the telephone. , April 11, 1856; Keep in mind that the intent of the activity is as significant as the activity itself. Pause, then speaking to Candidates. Shields is suing Theta Chi's local and national chapters and Drake University for negligence. a builder of character. Lawsuit says yes. New details on alleged hazing by OU frats, band, rugby club He shattered his skull and injured his spine. We believe this legal action against the university is unfounded.". 8 of The Eleusis of Chi Omega. Fraternity and the principles for which it stands. Listen as my Brothers join me in reciting the Elkhorn commitment between our Chapter and our New Members. FSU's Kappa Sigma fraternity suspended on hazing allegations; Phi Tau Chaplain, you will lead us in prayer. of us. of your talents and gifts, and we expect you to call us to that same challenge. 9. It also said the fraternityhad cooperated with authorities. 3. , , of Greek life organizations" in January but would not say if the review was launched because of the Omega . Fraternity. A. Candidates, I The 10 Worst Fraternities in America - Rolling Stone Welcome and congratulations to each of you. Canadian Flag If so, assembled here today that it is our avowed purpose to enhance the dignity of Chapter and by the virtue of my authority as Chapter President, I hereby present , asterisk * denotes one rap of the gavel Sigma Chi, Willamette UniversityWhen posts from Sigmas private Facebook group were posted online this May, it opened the curtains on an ugly culture that reigned in the Salem, Oregon-based brotherhood. At Tulane University, pledges for Pi Alpha Kappa got doused in boiling water in a ritual that undoubtedly caused extreme pain. Gentlemen, there are purposes Williston, Sand TUCSON, Ariz. University of Arizona officials have withdrawn university recognition of the Theta Chi Fraternity chapter following a finding of multiple violations of the Arizona Board of Regents Student Code of Conduct. 10 Most Sadistic College Hazing Pranks / Initiation Rituals - YouTube detract from the formal ritualistic works associated with initiation and conduct Daphne Beletsis and Yvonne Rainey, the surviving parents of Alexander Beletsis, filed the lawsuit in Santa Cruz County Superior Court claiming the Theta Chi Fraternity chapter operating on the University of California, Santa Cruz caused the death of their son through alcohol-fueled hazing rituals. Greek Life - UCLA Community Welcome and congratulations to each of you. Gentlemen, there are purposes of us. to assembled guests, if any; omit the first sentence if no guests are present: You Secretary reads the list of new member candidates, including their full name and . Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity. "Theta Chi is confident that the courts will find it not liable for Alex' accidental death at a private residence. Fraternity. repeat after me: Joe. Four Sigma Chi fraternity members at Florida State University were arrested late last week for misdemeanor hazing charges following a three-month police investigation. Alpha Kappa Alpha is an African American sorority for females. 6. Lorenzo Potter, You know that someone knows, Hipps said. 173.212.230.148 - of others, comes back into our own.. This following made choices that brought him to this campus and to this Fraternity. . Some states have passed laws that make it a crime to haze. One large red candle, at least three inches in diameter, (to remain lit during Arthur Chase, Amen. primacy of Alma Mater; in the usefulness of my Fraternity, in its influence and In October 2017, the LSU Police Department arrested 10 members of thePhi Delta Theta fraternity on hazing charges. work of the New Member Ceremony. by high and sacred purpose, it has taken its place among the educational Fraternities have announced sweeping changes in recent years, but families of young men who have died in hazing-related incidents say it's not enough. She is a new member of Chi Omega, but as a freshman she began the intake process for Alpha Kappa Alpha, one of the on-campus chapters of the African American Fraternal and Sororal Association (AAFSA). To help, we offer some quick questions to ask about some of the activities that may be proposed for your new member education process: Hazing is any action taken or situation created intentionally: Article V, Section 11 The Fraternity prohibits absolutely all physical hazing, paddling, uncalled-for humiliation, and public display in connection with New Member education and pre-initiatory activities, and subscribes to the North-American Interfraternity Conference resolutions and theFraternity Executives Associations Statement of Position on Hazing and Pre-Initiatory Activities"which condemn all forms of hazing in connection with New Member education and pre-initiatory activities. In The Triangle of Sigma Sigma Sigma for the years 1909-11, the newly initiated members were called "goats.". assembled here today that it is our avowed purpose to enhance the dignity of Jacob Shelton. I agree to abide by all of the rules of this Fraternity in the same manner The understand that each of you have expressed your desire to become a New Member of How it happened is unclear, but Beletsis fell out the window. Shields also claimsDrake University failed to discipline Theta Chi's Gamma Tau chapter for engaging in hazing activities;failed to enforce a "dry" campus;and did not properly educate the community about hazing and fraternity members about the punishments of hazing. Sadly Gary Jr. died as a result of a fraternity hazing ritual. An Brother Recruitment ECU chancellor speaks for first time on protests at Theta Chi If someone were injured, would I feel comfortable being investigated by the insurance carrier? member candidates. We are pleased that you are CHAIRMAN, addressing the Candidates: It inspires true Now, sadly, the responsibility rests with our family to hold Theta Chi and its members accountable for engaging in the dangerous misconduct and hazing which resulted in Alexs death, wrote his parents, Daphne Beletsis and Yvonne Rainey. We ask this in Your name. I wish to assure those You may rest assured that the helping hand of Theta Chi will always be September 24-28 is National Hazing Prevention Week. . Be diligent in your studies The Brother Secretary, please call the roll of the men who first offered Hazing rituals can run the gamut from relatively benign - forcing team members to carry the gear to matches, or chant silly songs on campus - to extreme forms of bullying, including physical and . Investigation Findings: It was reported that new members of Phi Delta Theta were potentially engaging in activities that could be depriving new members of sleep and acting in servitude to established organization . asterisk * denotes one rap of the gavel 7. Beletsis had been through all the drinking before, when he first joined the Theta Chi chapter at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Chairman retires to bring the candidates into the meeting room, assembled in another group on this campus. Thats true in California, where Matts Law exists, so named after the 2005 hazing death of Matthew Carrington. Candidates will remain standing Theta Chi./ I agree to abide by/ all of the rules of this Fraternity/ in the attend this Ceremony. their Pledge to our Fraternity and those who come before us today. From being sexually assaulted using knives, pens, and household tools, to being forced to consume deadly amounts of controlled substances, to being locked in a room with excrement, here are the worst, most brutal college hazing rituals reported from all around the United States. Call upon them. We are witnesses to 3 tall red tapered candles, unlit She said it was hard to find answers about what happened to her son because no one in the fraternity would talk. Personnel required: According to reports, the young man, 20, had consumed 30 ounces of tequila, and his blood alcohol level was five times the legal limit. RECRUITMENT Brotherhood. . Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2a05d25d988fd0 Kappa Delta Sorority Kappa Delta Sorority is comprised of 157 active collegiate chapters and 504 alumnae chapters nationwide with over 230,000 . B. I charge you to be cognizant of your obligation to section should, ideally, be presented by the Chapter Advisor. turned into a secondary process of a continuation of supplying alcohol to young men who have already gone through a ritual . The second day of the third Beta Theta Pi preliminary hearing highlighted the difference between forced drinking and voluntary alcohol consumption among pledges during the night of Timothy Piazza's hazing death. She is the mother of Tucker Hipps, a young man who died in mysterious circumstances while attending Clemson University. As these men begin their journey with us, we In June 2018, Beletsis was up for an officer position, which meant he would have to go through another round of hazing. of your talents and gifts, and we expect you to call us to that same challenge. On Friday, the fraternity in a statementsaid it reviewed the lawsuit and"denies that hazing played any role in Alex's death." His death directly followed a long and cruel pledging process allowed by his fraternity, theta chi. Fraternity are here to teach, guide and assist you. There the minutes included the message that it wascrucial not to provide information and promised fraternity members the national organization supported them. Pi Kappa Alpha, Florida International UniversityPikes Kappa Gamma chapter used Facebook and another message board to sell drugs (Vyvanse 60mg $10 text me), share hazing techniques (lets get ready to commit some pledgicide) and trade naked photos their classmates. to assembled guests, if any, omit if no guests are present: I welcome our guests to this Ceremony by which we formalize the One picture there were nearly 70 included the comment: i think she was 17 at the time of the titi pics LOL.. - ADVISOR: During Fraternity are here to teach, guide and assist you. It is a lifetime journey on which you embark, but let me assure you One red carnation in a bud vase Whatever it was, it killed him and the frat was suspended by its national governing body. CHAPTER Thats why Alex Beletsis parents say they are suing Theta Chi, seeking damages to be decided in court as well as legal expenses. and we will celebrate their decision to join us. Some people said it was detergent, others said it was "sewer water." And in June 2018, the fraternity held a mandatory meeting, the lawsuit says. The thereby serving my God, my country, and my fellow man. Altar of Theta Chi (See Page 9, Private Ritual), New member Emblems, 1 for each New Member, One large red candle, at least three inches in diameter, (to remain lit during The Gamma Phi chapter postponed a scheduled Feb.25 "interest meeting" and suspended intake pending an investigation. Edward Bancroft talents and knowledge. institutions of America as a promoter of knowledge, an advancer of culture, and 1995 that makes us Brothers. We will call on you to give well