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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has terminated the charter of its chapter at the University of Utah due to a hazing incident in which a pledge allegedly was kicked in the jaw.
The fraternity terminated the membership of the University of Utah chapter for violating the organization's policy against physical and mental hazing, said Ken Maikowski of Salt Lake City, a fraternity alumnus who oversees its chapters in Colorado, Nevada and Utah.
Three unidentified fraternity members also have been recommended for disciplinary action, but a decision has not yet been made on those recommendations, he said.
"The chapter has ceased operations and (its) members have been placed on alumni status," Maikowski said Monday. "They cannot function as an undergraduate fraternity at the university."
Pledge Ryan Rasmussen, 20, said some sorority members told him about specific, secret rituals used by the fraternity. The fraternity, which had 21 members and eight pledges, called him before a tribunal, where he told the fraternity leadership the names of the sorority members, many of whom were girlfriends of current Phi Delta Theta members, he said.
Rasmussen's father said the implicated fraternity members took the accusations personally, and retaliated against his son.
He said that while his son was undergoing a ritual in which he was cleaning unsavory items off the floor, one of the implicated fraternity members kicked him in the jaw.
Ryan Rasmussen quit the fraternity that night, told his father what had happened and his father called the dean of students.
The decision to pull the charter was made in December before students left for winter break.
The charter could be revoked for as long as two years, and can only be reinstated at the discretion of the chapter's alumni and university administrators.
Maikowski said several members who lived at the fraternity have until Jan. 15 to vacate, after which the locks will be changed.
Ryan Rasmussen said he liked the fraternity and is thinking of transferring to Portland State University and trying to join the Phi Delta Theta chapter there.
He said that he has received vicious e-mails and phone calls.
"I kept looking over my shoulder because I thought I was going to be beat up or jumped," he said. "It sucks going to school scared."
Lori McDonald, assistant dean of students and adviser to the fraternities and sororities, said school officials were pleased with the cooperation they received from the national organization.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
