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Mu Deuteron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta
In January 2001 Mu Deuteron was placed on probation by the University of Iowa
because of the hazing of a pledge.
A Board of Mu Deuteron Graduate Trustees was formed and given full authority by the
Fraternity to operate the chapter. A Standards for Excellence performance program was
developed by the Trustees and presented to Dean of Students Phil Jones. The chapter
was permitted to continue operation for a five year probationary period.
On November 19, 2004 the chapter received a letter from Dean Jones saying the
following:
“ Membership behavior in 2004 – 2005 will be examined
very closely by the University of Iowa. As long as your
chapter shows significant improvement in citizenship (arrest
rate), your chapter will be permitted to participate in August
2005 Greek recruitment.”
During the 2003 – 2004 academic year the chapter had a 42 percent arrest rate.
The Mu Deuteron House Corporation, in a demonstration of good faith in the future of
the chapter, invested over $350,000 for the modernization of the chapter house during
the summer of 2004.
A fundraising program among Mu Deuteron graduates in 2004 – 2005 raised nearly
$140,000 in cash and pledges to reduce the house corporation debt. Once again,
graduate brothers demonstrated their faith in the future of their chapter.
In academic year 2004 - 2005 - - the chapter once again - - had a 42% arrest rate.
In addition to the chapter being on University probation, the Fraternity’s Board of
Conduct notified the chapter on February 2, 2005 of a major risk management violation
due to the pooling of chapter monies for the purchase of alcohol.
The Board of Conduct of the Fraternity notified the Trustees the chapter had been under
trusteeship far too long. A plan of action to remove the chapter from trusteeship was
demanded in the immediate future. The chapter was also challenged to reduce the arrest
rate and make major changes in chapter operations.
An action plan was developed by the Board of Graduate Trustees and activated in April
of 2005. A mandatory meeting of all chapter members was held, individual member
reviews were conducted and the Standard for Excellence program was strictly enforced.
This effort resulted in a major reduction in the number of chapter members.
While 15 members of the chapter were graduating, an additional 26 men were given
Revocation of Chapter Privileges due to arrest or their inability to achieve the academic
standard of a 2.5 GPA. Eight actives eliminated themselves by not attending the
mandatory meeting or member reviews. The chapter was reduced to less than 40
members for the 2005 - 2006 academic year.
On June 15, 2005 the trustees met with Dean of Students Jones. Purpose: To make him
aware of the actions the Trustees had taken to face up to chapter problems: The
mandatory meeting, member reviews and the current implementation of the Standards
program.
Dean Jones was most positive about this action. He told the Trustees he would permit
the chapter to participate in formal member recruitment activities. In effect, he gave the
remaining members of the chapter another opportunity to make a significant reduction
in their arrest rate.
During the summer months the House Corporation again demonstrated faith in the
future of the chapter by ordering new dining room furniture.
On Tuesday evening, August 9th Trustees Bill Baker, Fred Stines and Chapter Advisor
Marc Dorau met with the chapter officers to facilitate the development of an operational
business plan for the coming year.
Chapter officers developed specific strategies for reducing the arrest percentage.
Operational Guidelines were provided by the Trustees to effect change in chapter
operations. The officers were told the implementation of this plan was a must for the
future existence of the chapter. They were reminded again that the future of Mu
Deuteron was in their hands.
On Wednesday evening August 10th an incident took place at the chapter house that has
led to the demise of Mu Deuteron. Eight active members and one pledge invited several
female students over to the house to “hang out.” Alcohol was purchased and consumed
by underage Fraternity members and sorority women. This was a direct violation of the
Phi Gamma Delta and the University of Iowa’s alcohol -free fraternity house policy.
During the next 24 hours someone called the Iowa City Police Department and reported
that alcohol had been consumed at the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity house. By protocol,
the Office of Student Life was notified of this incident. The Graduate Trustees were
advised of this incident on Friday, August 12, 2005.
Lengthy discussions of this incident were conducted between the Executive Director to
the international Fraternity, Mu Deuteron House Corporation members, the Office of
Student Life and the Board of Graduate Trustees. We learned the international
Fraternity would take action to close the chapter. It was determined the University of
Iowa Office of Student Life would take comparable action. The undergraduates, by their
own actions, had determined the fate and future of the chapter.
The Mu Deuteron House Corporation and the Board of Graduate Trustees had no
alternative but to announce the closing of the chapter and house during a meeting with
undergraduate members on Monday evening August 15, 2005.
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