On October 6, the Texas Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta was placed in escrow by the national organization. But what does that mean, exactly?
Sean Wagner, associate executive vice president of the national Phi Delta Theta organization, said in an e-mail that escrow is the highest form of punishment given within their fraternity. Wagner explained that this keeps the chapter active but severely limits their activities.
“Sanctions and activities are limited to sexual assault prevention and bystander education,” Wagner wrote, “improving chapter operations, and community service and philanthropy which includes 10,000 hours of service dedicated to organizations who are dedicated to rape crisis and sexual assault prevention.”
According to an announcement released by the national chapter on Monday, the members of Phi DeltaTheta that directly violated organizational rules were removed from membership. Executive members of the fraternity were also removed.
Wagner wrote he was not aware of any serious previous incidences with the Texas Epsilon chapter. He wrote that the level of punishment directly corresponded to the level of policy violations.
Many prominent Texas Tech alumni were members of Phi Delta Theta, including Chancellor Robert Duncan and country musician Josh Abbott. Wagner wrote that alumni influence had no part in the punishment decision, which was made by the governing board at the national level. Wagner wrote that local alumni are not involved in decisions regarding chapter identity.
Picture from Wikimedia.
“We look forward to working with Texas Tech alumni,” Wagner wrote, ” to help implement these sanctions to help improve that chapter in the long-run.”
Phi Delta Theta will help spread awareness to all Greek organizations as part of their sanctions. Wagner wrote that the chapter will participate in a workshop entitled “Taking a Stand: Preventing Sexual Misconduct on Campus,” hosted by the Fraternal Health and Safety Initiative. The chapter will also host Mike Dilbeck, who speaks to campuses about bystander behavior, which will be held for the entire Tech Greek community.
“As a part of their sanctions, the Texas Epsilon Chapter will be providing funding that will help offer this same FHSI program to nearly 12,000 Phi Delta Theta members at over 190 college campuses throughout the United States and Canada,” Wagner wrote. “We believe this type of education will help prevent sexual misconduct at each of those campuses.”
Tech Phi Delta Theta violated organizational policies at an unsanctioned chapter party where a sign promoting rape and sexual harassment was displayed. Featured at the same party was a sprinkler shaped like a woman’s spread legs. The chapter received national attention when pictures from that party appeared on a website called Total Frat Move.
The Texas Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta will still hold its annual Casino Night on October 10, since all proceeds from that event go toward the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
“Texas Epsilon has a long history of being leaders at Texas Tech and within Phi Delta Theta,” Wagner wrote. “It is our hope that they continue that tradition by leading the way by admitting that they made a mistake, learning from it, and resuming their tradition as a successful chapter.”
About Sarah Self-Walbrick
