Chi Phi Removed from Wisconsin Campus in Hazing Row

Chi Phi House at UW-Madison

(Madison, Wisconsin - March 18, 2015) Reports of periods of “hooded isolation,” forced binged drinking and food deprivation led the University of Wisconsin-Madison to “terminate” a fraternity from campus Wednesday.The Chi Phi fraternity chapter was removed from campus after an initial complaint in January over hazing new members during an initiation weekend in December that left one student with a concussion.

An investigation found that chapter leaders fostered a dangerous hazing environment and participated in acts that “seriously threatened the health and safety of all the new members,” according to a university statement. Fraternity members violated a school provision against “humiliating, degrading and sexualized conduct.”

In a prepared statement, a student president of an interfraternity council said it supported the termination action. “The circumstances involving Chi Phi fraternity are unjustifiable and inappropriate. Hazing is strictly prohibited at all times by any persons affiliated with or under the jurisdiction of the Interfraternity Council at UW-Madison,” said Conner Feldman, executive president of the council. (Excerpted from USA Today for educational purposes; byline: Nick Penzenstadler)

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