Delts’ Chapter Operations Suspended
Following on the heels of a memorial service for freshman Johnny Smith on Thursday, Wabash and Delta Tau Delta Internationals have suspended operations of the Beta Psi chapter.
So, what exactly does that mean? Well, the chapter, which just had its dedication on Sept. 20 following a full renovation, becomes a glorified dorm. Two younger Wabash staff members from the Career Services Office have moved into the house and are helping the chapter members during this very difficult time.
This sad incident was most assuredly a primary agenda topic for the Wabash Trustees who are meeting this weekend.
President White has called a mandatory Chapel for Tuesday.
Read the students’ reactions in this week’s Bachelor.
Indianapolis Star
October 11, 2008
Wabash fraternity suspended after teen’s death
Action from college, national organization follows teen’s death
By Robert King
robert.king@indystar.com
The Wabash College fraternity in which a freshman member died last weekend has been placed under suspension by the college and its national parent organization.
The 60 men living in the Delta Tau Delta house at Wabash will continue to remain in the residence, but the suspension means they can conduct no social functions, initiation rituals, recruiting, chapter meetings or other formal activities.
“Anything relating to fraternity activities has been suspended — a complete cessation of everything not related to academic work or personal health and safety,” said Jim Amidon, a college spokesman.
There are roughly 70 Delta fraternity members total, with the rest living apart from the house.
On Thursday, Wabash moved two of its college employees into the house. Amidon said they would remain there throughout the suspension period in order to conduct the chapter’s administrative functions.
The suspension follows the death last weekend of 18-year-old Johnny Smith, who pledged the fraternity this fall and moved into the Delta house.
Smith’s relatives said he had felt pressure to drink at the fraternity and had been found dead Sunday morning in a pool of his own vomit.
Authorities have not concluded their investigation and have not said definitively that alcohol was involved.
Neither Amidon nor Jim Russell, executive vice president of Delta Tau Delta International headquartered in Fishers, would comment on the investigations each organization is conducting into the incident. The law enforcement investigation won’t be concluded until toxicology tests conducted on Smith are returned to the Montgomery County coroner. That could take several weeks.
A funeral for Smith is scheduled for today in his hometown of Tucson, Ariz. Representatives from the college and the fraternity are expected to attend. A memorial service was held on campus Thursday.
Amidon said the suspension was intended to take the burdens of running the chapter off the students and to help the investigation.
Russell, who met with fraternity members Thursday, said the suspension would help the fraternity members “refocus” on school and be respectful of Smith. “These kids are hurting,” he said.
“They have lost a friend. They have been through a very tragic situation,” he said. “They are under pressure to go to school anyway. We want them to get focused on those things, and the fraternity can take a back seat for now.”
