Texas Tech Fraternity Stripped of Charter For ‘No Means Yes’ Sign
The Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Texas Tech University in Lubbock was stripped of its charter after images of a party featuring disturbing signs surfaced.
An investigation was launched in September after images of signs which read “No Means Yes” and “Yes Means Anal” appeared on sites such as Bro Bible and Total Frat Move. Last month, spokespersons for Texas Tech and the national chapter of Phi Delta Theta told The Huffington Post they were investigating the signs, which were featured at a hurricane-themed party. (The party also included a vagina sprinkler which sprayed party goers during the event. Lovely.)
The Texas Tech chapter was suspended while the investigation was ongoing. Earlier this month, students staged a protest against rape culture at the university, hanging sheets which read “No Means No” at several locations on campus (pictured above).
On Monday, Phi Delta Theta International announced it was removing the chapter at Texas Tech:
Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has placed the charter of the Texas Epsilon Chapter in escrow and removed from membership any individuals who directly violated organizational policy or were in a position of chapter leadership. These actions occurred immediately following the investigation regarding inappropriate signage at an unsanctioned chapter event held September 19.
The remaining members will have all activities limited to education in the areas of sexual assault prevention and bystander behavior, improving chapter operations, community service and philanthropic activities.
Other sanctions against the chapter include an assessment that will fund the aforementioned bystander education for the entire Texas Tech Greek Community and will help implement sexual assault prevention education locally and throughout Phi Delta Theta. The chapter will additionally provide over 10,000 hours of community service to organizations who are dedicated to rape crisis and sexual assault prevention
As Raw Story reports, it’s not the first time the Texas Tech Phi Delta Theta frat has landed in hot water:
Phi Delta Theta was banned from Texas Tech between 2005 and 2011 due to an alcohol-related death. After being reinstated last year, the organization was considered to be on probation for the 2014-2015 school year.
By the way, if you’re scratching your head trying to recall why Phi Delta Theta sounds so familiar to you, it might be because the national chapter was recently in the news for being part of a coalition of eight fraternities working together to stop binge drinking, hazing and sexual assault.
The Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at Texas Tech is also under investigation for a “Border Patrol” party (’tis the season for racist college parties after all).
Image via AP Images.