[queequek]

ISU fraternity under investigation for incident

By Katie Drake and Jill Sederstrom
Daily Staff Writers
February 07, 2003

An ISU fraternity is under investigation after a brother house reported the ISU students were disrespectful to women and destroyed property during a visit in November to Kansas State University.

The Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Phi members, at Iowa State, also had questionable behavior concerning underage drinking and stolen property from the Alpha Upsilon chapter at Kansas State, said Ben Procter, public relations coordinator for Delta Sigma Phi at Kansas State.

"There was general disrespect for the house here at [Kansas State]," Procter said.

He said it was difficult to determine the dollar amount of the damage done, and said the damage done to people's reputations was most upsetting.

He said ISU Delta Sigma Phi members offended members of the Kansas State chapter and girls from sororities on the Manhattan, Kan., campus. "It was pretty shocking because a lot of people have a lot of pride in the fraternity," Proctor said. "To see something so contradictory was a shock and an embarrassment."

Aaron Schwieterman, president of Kansas State's Alpha Upsilon chapter, said the fraternity members there were upset about the incident, but he declined to answer further questions.

Delta Sigma Phi members at Iowa State traveled to the brother house during a traditional "sneak," where incoming members visit other chapters to meet and get acquainted during fall semester.

Andy Klobnock, vice president of recruitment for Delta Sigma Phi at Iowa State, said everything has been returned and paid for. Klobnock said he could not comment on any disciplinary action that may have been taken against the ISU fraternity at this time. He referred all additional questions to the Dean of Students Office.

Pete Englin, dean of students, said he could not comment on the situation.

The national Delta Sigma Phi executive director Scott Wiley said there is an ongoing investigation regarding this incident. Wiley said he could not comment on the specifics of the case.

Bethany Schuttinga, assistant dean of students in the Office of Judicial Affairs, declined to comment.

Delta Sigma Phi has been on the ISU campus since 1949.