In the interest of fostering a sense of pride for Hamilton College’s past, and to connect this past with Hamilton’s present and future,

The Spectator

has decided to re-publish a collection of archived articles.

The Spectator

will feature pieces from this week, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 years ago.

DKE suspended for two years: College, fraternity debate details, violations

By Tom Ayres ’98

Originally published on Sept. 26, 1997

President Tobin announced on Monday that the College had suspended the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity for two years because [of] a DKE-sponsored event on Friday, Sept. 5 involving two erotic dancers in a Bundy social space.

In a memo addressed to the entire community, Tobin explained that the action followed an investigation by the Office of the Dean of Students which uncovered infractions of College policy including: “encouraging and condoning conduct that is lewd or indecent; using, possessing, or distributing alcoholic beverages in a manner inconsistent with the Alcohol Policy; and violating the ‘Private Society Relationship Statement.’”

“Membership in an academic community is a privilege that carries obligations and responsibilities. Some activities deemed acceptable in other sectors of society will not be condoned on our campus,” Tobin wrote. “The failure of an organization or individual to adhere to recognized standards of conduct will result in disciplinary actions.”

DKE members, however, have taken exception to Tobin’s remarks. In a written statement, they called the decision “ethically and legally unjustified.”

“Just as brothers in DKE would not force our own moral judgements on other Brothers, friends, and fellow students, we believe that the College cannot force its moral and ethical judgements on students,” they wrote.

In addition, DKE members have attacked the validity of the subsequent investigation performed by Dean of Students Jan Coates and Director of Campus Safety Pat Ingalls, claiming that the College lacked concrete evidence that they violated the Alcohol Policy and omitted any definition of “lewd or indecent behavior.”

But both sides agree that on the evening of Sept. 5, the fraternity hired two erotic dancers, Dallas and Michelle, from the Absolute XXX-Posure agency to simulate sexual activity with each other while completely nude as surprise entertainment for DKE brothers (it is the policy of Absolute XXX-Posure not to provide the real names of the performers).

According to the Campus Safety report provided by Ingalls, the dispatcher received an anonymous call at 12:40 a.m., Friday night asking Campus Safety to check the Bundy Fish Room. Two officers responded to the call, observed the activity, left the room and called for assistance from Assistant Director Darryl Gilette.

By the time Gilette had arrived the party had ended and there were still some students left in the room. As the two performers were getting ready to leave, Gilette warned remaining brothers that the observed behavior had violated the Social Programming Permit.

Not so, said DKE brothers, who claimed that on both occasions the officers “concurred that we were in full accordance with College policies and procedures.”

Ingalls reported the incident to Coates on Sunday morning, and both spent the day gathering information about the incident. Ingalls then conducted eight separate interviews on Sunday with DKE brothers who were in the attendance at the party.

A letter outlining the incident and identifying alleged violations of College policies was sent on Thursday, Sept. 18 to the Chapter President, Mike Peroni ’99. DKE responded the following Tuesday to the letter and after considering the response, Tobin, Coates, and Director of Student Activities Bev Low met with DKE members on Friday to discuss the incident.

At a meeting early Monday morning, Tobin notified DKE members of his decision to suspend the fraternity for a period of two years during which time they may not use campus facilities, recruit new members, or use the College’s name.

The President’s decision is final and under no circumstances may DKE apply for reinstatement prior to the start of the 1999–2000 academic year.

According to the Private Society Relationship Statement located in the Student Handbook, individual student members of private societies that violate College rules are subject to disciplinary action by the Judicial Board, but private societies fall under the jurisdiction of the President and the Dean of Students.

The move against DKE came on the heels of the four-year-suspension of the Phi Beta Chi sorority, which was punished last April as a result of a violation of the policy on hazing. Unlike the DKE suspension, however, PBX had accepted complete responsibility for their actions and voluntarily forfeited recognition.

As a result of the decision, Brian Berger ’99 was forced to step down as the president of the Inter-Society Council, a position that he assumed four weeks ago after the unexpected departure of Ben Mintz. In the absence of both a president and vice-president, the ISC has decided to have Bev Low step in as the temporary chairperson until a new leadership team can be assembled.

Although the Administration denies any knowledge of erotic dancers performing on campus in the recent past, various sources confirm that both male and female performers have made infrequent visits to the Hill for private gatherings and birthday parties.