In a reaction to a recent drug bust at the University of North Dakota chapter of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, the brotherhood has decided to close the branch for now. The suspension was reported by the Grand Forks Herald.
The incident in question occurred in November. Two fraternity brothers were arrested and seven more cited when the frat house was raided by the Grand Forks Narcotic Task Force. Interestingly, information on the fraternity states, “Phi Delta Theta implemented alcohol-free housing for all chapters in 2000 and has seen significant increases in their membership.” One supposes that alcohol-free would mean drug-free as well.
Unlike the movies, where the whacky fraternity gets to win a competition and their charter back, the national organization has suspended the chapter through 2013. All current members are barred from rejoining as well. It looks like “Animal House” won’t be tolerated.
The University of North Dakota doesn’t have a reputation as a party school. In fact, our 2011 ranking in this category was very low. On the other hand, the Princeton Review ranked UND as the number one school where “students study the least.” Whether that is a tie in with drugs or not wasn’t mentioned.
The real losers in this will be the fraternity brothers who weren’t participating in any shenanigans. Those fellows will lose just as much as the ones who went to jail. But when your chapter president has been arrested for drugs in the frat house, it appears as though the problem was endemic.
Other losers are the beneficiaries of the good works the frat did. Modern fraternities are quite active in community events and charities. Hopefully, other frats and sororities will step up and fill the gap.
