DEM chapter violated hazing policy, investigation finds

The Center for Student Involvement investigation into the University of Richmond chapter of Delta Epsilon Mu — the Alpha Beta chapter — has concluded with confirmation of practices that violated the UR Hazing Policy.

The investigation confirmed these practices through interviews, Alison Keller, the CSI director, wrote in a statement on Feb. 12.

“On Thursday, January 30, 2020 an investigation was concluded into an allegation of hazing into the organizational operations of the Delta Epsilon Mu Fraternity,” she wrote.

“Through the investigation process, it has been confirmed through interviews with members, inclusive of organization leaders that there are practices that are not compliant with the University of Richmond Hazing policy.”

The chapter will be reinstated if it completes the CSI’s action plan, Keller wrote.

“In response to the investigation, an action plan to assist the organization in developing a positive new member plan and creating a program plan to achieve the goals and mission of the organization has been developed and shared with the leaders,” she wrote.

“Upon completion of this action plan, the Delta Epsilon Mu Fraternity will be reinstated from

Probation to full Recognized Student Organization status.

“It is hope of the Center for Student Involvement that all student organizations contribute to a positive, respectful and exciting student organization experience.”

The chapter president, Sam O’Rourke, wrote that the chapter is making changes.

“We’ve been working hard already to make productive changes to our new member process,” he wrote. “Although it is unfortunate this transpired in the first place, I think that through the combined efforts of our executive board and CSI, DEM and it’s [sic] members will ultimately benefit from this event, enabling us to better fulfill our mission as a professional pre-health fraternity.”

The faculty adviser for the chapter, John Vaughan, could not be reached for comment.

Keller’s initial statement to The Collegian on Feb. 6 did not specify that the investigation had concluded on Jan. 30.

“There is time needed to set up meetings to review,” Keller wrote in an email on Feb. 17 responding to a request for clarification of the investigation timeline. 

Contact news and content editor Katherine Schulte at katherine.schulte@richmond.edu.