The president of Pennsylvania State University called a fraternity’s posting of pictured of nude and partially nude women "truly offensive behavior," but also said the university wouldn't rush to punish members of a Kappa Delta Rho chapter before an investigation is complete.
"I am very committed to making that sure we know exactly who is responsible, and then taking action on those who are responsible," Penn State President Eric Barron told reporters Wednesday. "We will do it right."
Barron urged any victims in the Penn State incident to come forward. "Obviously the evidence is offensive and just plain unacceptable," he said.
State College Police have launched an investigation into the Kappa Delta Rho chapter after a former member came forward with evidence the frat was operating an invite-only Facebook page that showed naked women who appeared to be passed out, hazing rituals and drug deals, authorities said. There have been no arrests.
The site at Penn State was discovered after a woman spotted a topless picture of herself on a page called "Covert Business Operations" while visiting the Kappa Delta Rho house, and confronted members who took the page down, according to a police search warrant filed on Jan. 30.
But a second page called "2.0." was set up shortly thereafter, and the page featured photos of "nude females who appeared to be passed out … or in other sexual or embarrassing positions," as well as what appeared to be the sale of marijuana and cocaine, the warrant said.
The controversy at Penn State is only the latest involving fraternity members. The University of Oklahoma this month shut down a Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter after members were caught on video signing a racist song, and the college quickly expelled two students it said played a leadership role in the incident.
And Sigma Alpha Mu disbanded its University of Michigan chapter Tuesday over allegations members trashed a resort. Also on Tuesday, the president of the University of Houston suspended Epsilon Xi chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity over hazing allegations.
The national headwquon Tuesday suspended the Penn State Kappa Delta Rho chapter for a year and said it would be reorganized. "The national leadership of Kappa Delta Rho is committed to hold our brothers accountable for their actions," Joseph S. Rosenberg, executive director of the national fraternity, said in a statement.
IN-DEPTH
- Penn State Fraternity Suspended for Scandalous Facebook Page
- University of Oklahoma Fraternity Student Apologizes for Racist Chant
- SAE Has Worried About Frat House Culture for Years