The University of Connecticut suspended two Greek organizations for an alleged hazing incident back in February, only days after suspending a sorority accused of hazing.
UConn suspended the Sigma Chi fraternity and Delta Gamma sorority on interim suspension in connection with an alleged incident on Feb. 28, 2014. These suspensions come after UConn also suspended the Delta Zeta sorority for an alleged incident in March.
Letters sent to the school’s Greek organizations say members forced Sigma Chi members to bob for alcohol nip bottles in a toilet and eat cat food. The groups are also accused of paddling students, covering them in syrup, then flour, and forcing them to be partially or fully nude.
“We are aware of the hazing allegations involving our chapter at UConn. We are working closely with the university and chapter to resolve the issues at hand,” Lisa Dodge, assistant director of communications with the International Delta Gamma Sorority, said in a statement. “We care about the health, safety and human dignity of our members. Delta Gamma has a zero tolerance policy on hazing however we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.”
Michael Church, executive director of Sigma Chi, also released a statement.
“On April 9, Sigma Chi International Fraternity Headquarters was made aware of the allegations towards the Gamma Omega chapter at the University of Connecticut. We have already instituted our response protocols to address the matter and our own investigation is underway,” Church said. “In the meantime, we are in complete cooperation with the University of Connecticut administration as they conduct a simultaneous and parallel investigation into the matter. Should individuals be found responsible for having engaged in the activities described in the allegations, Sigma Chi will work collaboratively with the University of Connecticut and the men of the local chapter to institute appropriate disciplinary activity.”
The school suspended the Delta Zeta sorority for an alleged incident at the Mansfield Apartments on March 7, 2014.
According to a letter sent out to the Greek organizations, members of Delta Zeta allegedly forced men involved with a fraternity to “consume alcohol, to eat dog treats, to paint their bodies, to wear women’s thong underwear and to take shots of alcohol off each other’s bodies, among other things.”
Last month, the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and Sigma Aplha Epsilon fraternity were suspended for an alleged hazing incident when a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma said she was forced into heavy drinking back in March, and had to be transported to the hospital.
“We had to lay on the floor and sizzle like bacon, hold our ankles, jump up and down,” said UConn sophomore Hillary Holt. “If we did it right, we had to drink. If we did it wrong, we had to drink.”
All five of these groups, including the three most recently suspended organizations, remain under suspension until police finish their investigation into these alleged incidents.
During an interim suspension, the organizations cannot host or participate in any activities as an organization.
Members are also prohibited from participating in other organizations or activities while presenting themselves as representatives of the suspended organization.