The Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Theta chapter, has had its charter withdrawn
by Purdue for hazing new members.
Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students, said the offenses committed were
so severe the sorority will not be able to return
until it makes serious changes.
"We view a withdrawal as a permanent thing, but we do leave a window of opportunity for them to petition to be reinstated," he said. "With this particular case, we have made it clear that we would not even consider a petition from the sorority to be re-established at Purdue until at least 2003. At that time the petition would need to be accompanied by evidence that this sort of instance would not ever happen again."
Some of the activities Delta Sigma Theta pledges were subjected to include a ten-hour stay in the Lynn Hall library while only being allowed to leave for class, being required to purchase excessive food and various personal items at their own expense for active members, and being forced to eat a concoction of food items.
Malavenda said the offenses were appalling to him.
"Just the intensive physical activities, eating the different concoctions
of food items and the other activities that they were
coerced into participating in were pretty shocking to all of the people that
heard the testimony."
Malavenda said the sorority might be able to return to campus once the offending members are eradicated.
"We've stipulated the circumstances because we want to ensure that the officers that are involved now have no part in bringing back the sorority in the future," he said. "That's how we can ensure that if and when the sorority does re-establish its chapter here at Purdue, that it will stand for more positive ideals and have more meaningful traditions, which is completely in line with what their national stands for."
The president of the National Panhellenic Council, Eugene Johnson, said he hopes to avoid similar incidents in the future.
"In the future we hope that these allegations aren't brought upon any Greek letter organizations at Purdue," he said.
Members of Delta Sigma Theta could not be reached for comment.