The safety of Michigan State University’s Delta Kappa Epsilon was questioned Nov. 3 as protesters gathered outside the fraternity’s house demanding accountability from its members.
Students chanted outside starting at 10 p.m. until roughly midnight as the night and cold grew, bringing awareness to recent misconduct allegations against DKE initiates.
“This really puts a bad name on Greek Life. I know a lot of good frats and sororities do a lot of good things for the community, but the hazing has gone too far and need to crack down on it,” said MSU Sophomore Gabby Nageotte.
Nageotte first heard about the alleged misconduct through a group chat. She was then added to a private GroupMe named “Protest” where the Nov. 3 protest was being planned. She decided to show support and advocate against fraternity misconduct.
Trey Robb, director of DKE Fraternity Member Services, released a statement on the fraternity’s official website that day stating the Michigan State chapter has been placed on interim suspension and has information with the university. Fraternity interim suspension has temporarily suspended DKE from official Interfraternity Council events and activities. The fraternity also encourages all members to cooperate with investigations as they will hold members accountable for misconduct.
“The alleged misconduct simply has no place in our fraternity and is in direct conflict with the values of Delta Kappa Epsilon,” stated DKE executive director Doug Lanpher in the fraternity’s official statement.
Psychology student Samantha Strobel, 19, said she attended the protest with Nageotte after hearing about many similar situations that involve fraternities nationwide and misconduct in general.
“Usually, universities don’t do anything about allegations, and I think that’s a huge problem. I think MSU and many other universities need to take accountability.”
Strobel and Nageotte took their support a step further by making and holding up signs visible from Grand River that read “hold frats accountable” and “MSU do better.”
Julia Wallace
Strobel and Nageotte hold up signs addressing accountability on Grand River.“I chose to bring a sign to the protest because not everyone walking by/driving by knew what was going on. It’s a good way to grab people’s attention and get them curious about the demonstration we had outside of DKE. ‘Hold frats accountable’ is a clear message, although simple. It’s what needs to be done,” said Strobel
Michigan State has a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hazing, as hazing is illegal in Michigan under Garret’s Law. MSU’s official hazing prevention statement says Greek Life is meant to be a safe, positive, and educational part of the university experience and that hazing is contradictory to the values held by fraternities and sororities.
Third-Year human biology major Claire Swayze said she is concerned that Michigan State has a history of covering up sexual assault and sexual violence.
“They talk the talk about keeping hazing situations restricted and educating about sexual assault and sexual harassment, but it doesn’t seem like they’re walking the walk.”
Chase Rievert said, “I feel as if this happens a lot at DKE and it should be shut down.” He said he heard about the protest through various friends in the community.