Phi Delta Theta under suspension, investigation for sexual misconduct at annual Luau event
Phi Delta Theta fraternity is under suspension and investigation by Student Conduct and Community Standards due to multiple allegations of misconduct.
Phi Delta Theta fraternity is under suspension and investigation by Student Conduct and Community Standards due to multiple allegations of misconduct — including sexual misconduct in 2016 — stemming from their annual Luau event, held at the end of September. The suspension will be upheld until the investigation into the multiple allegations is closed.
A statement from Student Conduct and Community Standards, sent the week after this year’s Luau, described multiple female Greeks experiencing “non-consensual sexual behavior during a Luau event hosted by Phi Delta Theta Fraternity in fall 2016.” Mandy Hambleton, deputy Title IX coordinator for students, sent the statement out to the heads of sororities involved.
While on suspension, members of the fraternity are prohibited from engaging in any form of chapter operations or fraternity-related involvement on or off campus, including Shocktoberfest and Songfest, Student Involvement Assistant Director Tia Hill said.
Fraternity presidents and representatives were made aware of the suspension at last week’s Interfraternity Council meeting.
Sororities with members who reported sexual misconduct at Luau were contacted by Student Conduct and the Title IX office near the beginning of October, an anonymous sorority member who attended Luau said.
After saying what was reported indicated “non-consensual sexual behavior during a Luau event hosted by Phi Delta Theta Fraternity in fall 2016,” Student Conduct’s statement — pulled largely from section 8.16 of WSU’s Policy and Procedures — went on to say, “These incidents may cause serious physical and/or psychological harm. Wichita State University maintains a comprehensive program to support those who are involved in such incidents, and will respond promptly and equitably to reports of sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking.”
“The University has a responsibility to eliminate the behavior, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on any individual and/or the community. Retaliatory actions against any individual involved in reporting or participating in the investigation of a complaint will not be tolerated. Individuals who engaged in personal use of alcohol or drugs around the time of an alleged incident will not face disciplinary charges for that behavior.”
Hambleton confirmed the investigation and statement, and confirmed that sexual misconduct allegations are related to 2016’s Luau. She did not say what the allegations from this year’s Luau were, or why allegations about 2016’s Luau have now surfaced.
Hambleton could not provide further detail so as to protect the integrity of the investigation and individuals involved, she said.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 forbids sexual harassment and sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding. Schools are legally required to respond promptly and effectively to remedy hostile educational environments.
When asked if the Title IX office’s involvement confirmed allegations of sexual harassment, Director of Student Involvement Nancy Loosle said, “The investigation is still ongoing and could involve multiple areas of misconduct. Once the investigation is completed, they will have a more clear picture of what areas are involved.”
Several members of the Greek community were willing to speak about the case, but all refused to be identified for this story because of instructions from investigators or fear of backlash from the Greek community for speaking out.
A sorority member said she was brought in for an interview with Student Conduct during the first week of October because she was on the list of Luau attendees. She said she was aware of many sorority members who had individual meetings with Student Conduct.
She said she was questioned about 2016’s Luau in addition to this year’s, but this was the first year she attended.
She said she was asked general questions — if there was hazing, underage drinking, where she spent the night. She wasn’t told what the allegations were, or who alleged there was misconduct, she said.
“They asked me questions about where everyone slept and if I was dating the guy who brought me,” she said.
She said she talked about the allegations with a Phi Delta Theta friend of hers outside of the interview. He was “very secretive” about why the fraternity was under investigation, she said.
“He was not specific in any way,” she said. “He just said they were on suspension.”
Luau — a Hawaiian-themed, off-campus Phi Delta Theta annual party featuring tiki torches and floral leis — was held this year at an alumni’s residence near the Waterfront at 13th Street and Webb Road on September 30. The event ends with attendees sleeping in tents. Guests invited as a date are allowed to share the tent of their inviter.
Some of the guests who weren’t comfortable sharing a tent also slept in cars, according to an attendee. Sorority members also had the option of sleeping in a tent designated for their sorority, the attendee questioned about the Luau said.
“I brought my own tent so it wasn’t an issue for me.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, the president and representatives of Phi Delta Theta did not respond to requests for comment.
September’s banner investigation
This is the second investigation into Phi Delta Theta fraternity in two months. The fraternity suspended two chapter members and was briefly under investigation by Code of Conduct and Title IX in September after a banner encouraging new sorority recruits to visit for “free house tours” was hung from a window at their frat house on the first day of sorority recruitment. A photo of the banner was posted to social media, sparking immediate backlash.
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) sent a letter to President Bardo criticizing the university for violating free speech rights protected by the First Amendment in response to the banner investigation.
After the investigation was finished, Code of Conduct did not discipline Phi Delta Theta. University officials agreed the banner was constitutionally protected.
An earlier version of this story said Phi Delta Theta members are allowed to bring more than one guest or date to Luau. This was pointed out as incorrect by multiple attendees to Luau and has been removed.
Andrew Linnabary was the 2018-2019 Digital Managing Editor of The Sunflower. He studied journalism and minored in English. Linnabary is from Wichita, Kansas.
Selena Favela is a former photo editor for The Sunflower. She majored in graphic design. She is from Wichita, Kansas.
Steve • Oct 20, 2017 at 10:45 am
Can someone explain to me why the Greek system still exists. It seems like it has outlived whatever purpose it may have served long ago. It is a relic of a bygone era when rape culture, discrimination and a caste based society were considered perfectly normal.
Cindy L • Oct 20, 2017 at 11:52 am
The Greek community is involved on campus more than any other individuals other than student athletes. They raise over $100,000 for charity yearly, and contribute to their community more than the average student at Wichita State. The school is better with them, than without. Obviously the good that they do is often over-looked because the only articles regarding Greek life that individuals like you gravitate towards, are negative ones.
Cindy L • Oct 19, 2017 at 11:29 pm
Okay first of all, the timing of this incident seems to be very suspicious. The accusation took place over a year after the event following their “banner incident”. The story is that the “complainant” has not been identified and that raises a huge red flag. Yeah Fraternity members can be very irresponsible sometimes, but this seems to be a personal attack following up an unsuccessful attempt to “punish” these men for their actions with the banner. If an individual is capable of getting a chapter house suspended by submitting a case without any sort of identification, then something needs to be changed here. Innocent or not, the process is very one sided. It seems as if these men are being stripped of due process and no fair to the lady attendees who had a great time, but were forced to come in for an interrogation. Many other colleges have stipulations regarding anonymous cases to avoid situations like these. It seems as if student conduct has had a plan for the organization prior to this investigation, they just need to dig and manipulate as much as they can to achieve their goal. It’s sad that a community that I used to be apart of is becoming a he said/she said battle. That being said, Phi Delta Theta, either get your act together, or try your best to avoid being a target by others.
Maybe • Oct 20, 2017 at 7:49 am
There just might be more known in the conduct office than you know. Just going out on a limb. A suspension is very serious – especially when Steve Clark is an alum and a major donor/development player. In order to justify this there is probably a little more than a he said-she said battle. Sometimes it takes women time to come forward after an incident. There is no one-size-fits-all for how to process sexual misconduct.
Just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it didn’t happen to someone.
Wichita’s Filthy Millionaire • Oct 21, 2017 at 9:11 am
Interesting, if your assertion is true, this could be why this story has not been picked up by the Wichita media. Much like the Steven Bros FBI ‘Wiretapping’ Story, the man you mention is also well connected within the Wichita media. I believe it’s KAKE news that he’s controlling, and so on. Great journalism by Andrew, don’t let this story get swept under the rug by Wichita’s ‘rich and famous’.
WSU sorority member • Oct 19, 2017 at 6:18 pm
If Mandy Hambleton is leading the investigation, but doesn’t give you any details about what’s actually being investigated into, then all this article needed to say was “phi delt suspended and under investigation from student conduct.” You didn’t provide any names for your sources or anything so how do we know these “sorority members” you interviewed are even part of the Greek community or telling you factual information.. The fraternity member you interviewed obviously wasn’t in phi delt because I’ve been to some of their events and they are only allowed to bring one date. He has no idea what he’s talking about and how would he know an email was sent out if he is not in a sorority? He could of made this up since we don’t know who it was or if they were telling the truth.
I think this investigation was sparked by someone making false allegations against this fraternity that was probably mad there was never further investigation for the banner and just wanted to get back at them. The investigators won’t find any instances of sexual misconduct you say the fraternity is being accused of.
Curious • Oct 19, 2017 at 4:59 pm
I wonder where the “boys will be boys” and “they just want to show the house” people are now.
Whose house was this overnight event held at?
I would guess everyone will circle the Greek wagons on this and nothing will happen.
I hope any women who experienced sexual misconduct will feel empowered to report it so it can be addressed.
In the past Bardo said to Greek leaders that only things like academic cheating should be punished and not any other behavior according to the head of women’s Panhellenic association at the time.
Layton Skerritt was aware of it so maybe this is what he was referencing when he left.
this place is trash • Oct 19, 2017 at 4:26 pm
You said we were making something out of nothing. You said we were a bunch of humorless feminists. You said that our objections were a product of an overly sensitive/politically correct society…
Go on ignoring rape culture, WSU. It’s not a problem– just like racism ain’t an issue either.
@TheYoung_Stag • Oct 30, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Rape Culture? This article is about sexual misconduct conduct.
So here is the deal. Women want respect right? You know what would get respect? If a man puts his hands on you in a way that one doesn’t like punch that fool in the dick and see if him or anyone else touches you again. Cause I bet they don’t.