DRAKE’S PHI DELTA THETA HOUSE was suspended from the university, Drake officials announced Monday night. Photo: Sarah Andrews

Phi Delta Theta fraternity has been removed from Drake’s campus as a student organization. Drake officials announced Mon­day night. The suspension will last four years.

“I’m just trying to absorb this all,” said Nate Pastorik, former president of Drake’s Phi Delta Theta chapter.

He said all 11 members who live in the fraternity’s house must move out by Nov. 30.

Drake administration’s actions come after last week’s pledge event that left first-year student Nate Erickson hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. His blood alcohol con­tent was measured at nearly .50 – above the fatal level for most.

Des Moines police cited two Drake students on hazing charg­es — a serious crime in the state of Iowa. Junior Skylar Otto and sophomore Joseph Hatchett, both members of the former Phi Delta Theta fraternity, were charged with the crime and will appear in court on Nov. 30.

Drake officials released a state­ment Monday night, explaining how the university handled the suspensions. It stated that the na­tional Phi Delta Theta fraternity worked closely with Drake in in­vestigating the chapter’s risk man­agement policy violations.

For the last week, Dean of Stu­dents Sentwali Bakari led a univer­sity investigation of the incident. According to the press release, the investigation included meetings with students, fraternity officials, alumni advisers and information obtained from police reports and Des Moines police officers.

“We commend the national fraternity for its cooperation and swift action,” Bakari said in the press release. “The action the uni­versity is taking reflects the Drake community’s values and commit­ment to students. We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our students.”

Pastorik said all current mem­bers have been given alumni status from the fraternity. Pastorik said he will not receive alumni status as president of a suspended chapter, following a formality of the na­tional organization.

On Nov. 13, the General Council of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity voted to suspend the

charter of Drake’s Iowa Delta Chapter.

“The charter suspension includes the loss of any rights to use the fraternity name in associa­tion with any event or activity and the loss of any rights to display the name or symbols of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity,” said Jacob King­don, director of chapter services, in a Nov. 15 letter to Pastorik.

Tim Coonan, local alumni representative, said his main concern is with the students who have to move out of the house by Nov. 30.

“Our No. 1 concern is that the 11 men, who are in the fraternity house living here, don’t have their academic lives further disrupted, and we can get them in a permanent housing situation as soon as possible,” Coonan said.

Drake spokeswoman Lisa Lacher said the university has offered to secure housing on cam­pus for any students who need it. According to the press release, the chapter facility is to remain alcohol-free, and any damages to the facility may result in individual discipline or fines.

Kingdon concluded his letter, saying he re­gretted the fact that the Drake chapter had to be suspended.

“However, it is felt the best way to ensure a bright future on the Drake University campus is to suspend the charter until a time when Phi Delta Theta can return to campus,” he said.

Coonan said the fraternity plans to return in four years, preserving all chapter memorabilia.

“We have nearly 50 years of tradition on this campus, and the alumni are dedicated to not al­lowing our legacy to be dictated by the recent incident – the actions of just a few men in the chapter right now,” he said. “We’ll be working with Drake and our nations to see when we can recolonize here.”