An unofficial party at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house Nov. 1 left fraternity members without a house and a possible loss of recognition as a Mississippi State University student organization. Dean of Students Mike White said his office received a call Nov. 2 from the father of one of three women who attended the party at which alcohol was consumed.
“This was an isolated incident and it was not an activity sponsored or endorsed by our chapter,” Phi Delta Theta President Matthew Harrison said in a prepared statement.
Two women apparently escorted their friend to Oktibbeha County Hospital, where she was treated and released during the early hours of Nov. 2.
White was alerted on the morning of Nov. 2 when one woman sought treatment at the John C. Longest Student Health Center for undisclosed reasons. White could not verify who notified him, and he could not verify the reason he was called to the health center.
Rumors have circulated that a date-rape drug was found the stomach of one of the girls treated at either the hospital or the health center, but White denies such claims.
“That is absolutely not true,” White said.
White said he could not confirm any rumors concerning a possible rape. He said he has not received any information that would confirm a sexual assault occurred during the Nov. 1 incident.
White issued a charge of violating MSU alcohol policy Nov. 12 to the fraternity president Matthew Harrison, who had been installed as the chapter’s president during the third week of October. White said he does not think a charge of violating MSU sexual assault policy will be made.
“Because these individuals violated our fraternity’s alcohol-free housing and other risk management policies, the chapter held these members accountable for their actions and expelled them from membership in Phi Delta Theta,” Harrison said in his statement.
White said this type of situation is not new to him or MSU. White said the organization is suspended but will have a chance to petition for readmittance.
“This has happened before,” White said. “In all but one case that I’ve seen, the group was able to re-establish themselves.”
Harrison said, “Because these individuals violated fraternity and university policies, the university withdrew the chapter’s recognition and the Phi Delta Theta general headquarters placed the chapter’s charter in escrow. The members of the chapter will be working with university and general headquarters officials to meet the expectations as outlined by both entities in hopes to apply for reinstatement in January.”
White said members were to be out of the fraternity house Monday no later than 5 p.m. after the Nov. 19 Interfraternity Council judicial board heard the case against the group.
Harrison said fraternity members who paid the $225 per month to live in the house were given the option by MSU housing to move into Herbert Hall for the remainder of the semester, but the members were required to pay an additional $266 or find other arrangements.
Shay McDonnall, who is in charge of handling the business aspect of the Phi Delta Theta housing in Herbert Hall, was in Jackson attending a conference and unavailable for comment. However, assistant director of student housing Marnie Volkenant-Meurer said she was not aware of the exact amount, but the $266 fee Harrison mentioned surprised her.
“I think it is more than that,” Volkenant-Meurer said.
Volkenant-Meurer said all customers who stay at any residence hall must pay.
The Reflector will follow these events and make additional updates as information becomes available.