University responds to fraternity incident

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is responding to a report of a racial incident involving two African-American female students and members of a campus fraternity.

The early morning Friday, March 16 incident involving the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, 644 N. Frances St. is being investigated on multiple levels, according to the Division of Student Life.

Two female students reported walking on the fraternity’s property at the shore of Lake Mendota and, unprovoked, became the subject of racial slurs and class-oriented taunts from students who were holding a party on the fraternity house porch.

The women reported that they proceeded to leave, but before they could do so, a glass bottle was also thrown at them. No one was injured.

“We’ve not yet seen the results of a completed investigation, but the student report was deeply troubling,” Dean of Students Lori Berquam and Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate Damon Williams said in a joint statement.

“It suggests conduct that falls far below what we expect of our students and fraternities,” they added. “We’re very concerned for the victims and want our community to know that it is totally unacceptable to act in this manner toward others.”

The investigation will encompass individual members, the fraternity as a Registered Student Organization and the Interfraternity Council’s Greek Judicial Board. In the interim period, Delta Upsilon Fraternity has received an emergency suspension from Berquam, to be affirmed by the Committee on Student Organizations.

Further details are not available, pending the completion of the investigation.

A suspension prevents a student organization from holding Greek events, reserving space or enjoying the other privileges of student organization status. In addition, the organization will temporarily lose all membership privileges in the Interfraternity Council.

The investigation will be conducted by the Division of Student Life on behalf of the Committee on Student Organizations.

If an organization is found in violation of breaching the student organization, Greek or university code of conduct, sanctions are possible for both the organization as a whole and for individual members.

The Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Panhellenic Association released a joint statement on Wednesday, March 21.

“On behalf of the Greek Community of the University of Wisconsin- Madison, we are saddened to hear of these allegations of intolerance and prejudice. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the victims of this incident.

“We condemn the alleged behavior but maintain that these actions are unreflective of our community. We as Greeks share common values and will fight to ensure that these values are upheld by all of our chapters.”

In consultation with the Associated Students of Madison, the Division of Student Life recently completed a process to improve the reporting of and response to bias-related incidents on campus.

Anyone interested in speaking with the Division of Student Life related to this or any other bias-related incident is encouraged to call (608) 263-5700 or visit here.