An Auburn fraternity is being suspended for four years following violations of the University’s anti-hazing policy. Delta Zeta, a chapter of Beta Theta Pi comprised of 164 undergraduate Auburn students, is being suspended for violations involving "physical abuse," servitude and alcohol, according to letters obtained by The Plainsman that were addressed to past and present Beta Theta Pi members. The letters did not offer any details about the accusations.

The incidents involving alcohol and physical abuse spanned several years, according to the letters, and “defied multiple interventions from the university, alumni and General Fraternity.” Ryan Powell, director of Greek Life at Auburn, did not specify how long the University was aware of the incidents involving alcohol and physical abuse.

“Auburn University was made aware of the misconduct through a report and subsequent conduct investigation,” Powell said in an email. One letter states that “the activities that led to [a four-year suspension] were serious.”

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“All told, these violations establish a dangerous pattern of behavior and a level of operational risk that is not acceptable for any Beta chapter,” one of the letter states. Auburn’s Interfraternity Council judicial board found Beta Theta Pi to be in violation of multiple University policies and codes of conduct at a hearing held on Oct. 22. The board recommended a four-year suspension. Beta Theta Pi appealed the hearing, but the IFC Council of Presidents upheld the decision to suspend the fraternity for four years. The suspension means Beta Theta Pi is no longer recognized as a student organization or as a fraternity in good standing. Beta Theta Pi is also being forced to vacate their fraternity house, which is located at 930 Lem Morrison Drive, by Dec. 31, 2019. The organization can request to be reinstated as an organization in August 2023.

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