Penn State University (PSU) suspended its chapter of the Kappa Delta Rho (KDR) fraternity from its campus for three years.
According to USA Today, the school's investigation turned up multiple instances of drug use, hazing and demeaning photos and messages concerning women posted to Facebook. PSU opened its investigation when they learned of KDR members posting images of unconscious, nude women to those Facebook pages.
The PSU administration's punishment overrules one made by the school's Interfraternity Council (IFC). Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, notified the IFC of the three-year ban in a letter issued Tuesday.
"We base this decision on the sum of misbehaviors exhibited by various members of Kappa Delta Rho. Not every member of the chapter was equally culpable for violation of the University's expectations for recognized student organizations," Sims wrote. "Even so, the sum of the organizational misbehaviors is far more than the University can tolerate from a student organization that seeks its imprimatur."
Sims indicated each member may not have been as complicit in impermissible activity as others, but the group as a whole displayed "a persistent series of deeply troubling activities."
The KDR chapter "regularly posted embarrassing photos of women; used demeaning language to describe females; and cultivated a persistent climate of humiliation for several females," the school found.
"We agree completely that the conduct described in the statement is unacceptable. As stated in the Report of the Inter Fraternity Council (IFC), only a few of our members were accused of such misconduct," Joseph Rosenberg, national executive director of KDR, said in a statement addressing PSU's ruling. "As we outlined previously, we have initiated disciplinary proceedings against members accused of any wrongdoing, and have established educational programs and other measures, such as a hazing hotline, to address and prevent future misconduct.
"We respect the university's decision and look forward to working with the university to effectuate improvements in the Greek system on campus. KDR will endeavor to take any actions necessary to have our chapter retain recognition after the three year period has concluded."
