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The Zeta Beta Tau International Fraternity announced on Tuesday, January 9 that they will be revoking the University of Michigan charter after an investigation uncovered that hazing incidents had taken place.
According to reports, the ZBT national chapter conducted an investigation with the Office of Greek Life and Division for Student Life for several months. The fraternity’s Supreme Council voted to revoke the charter after the investigation found that determined members were violating a number of fraternity policies, including those which prohibit hazing.
Zeta Beta Tau’s national organization released a statement, saying “through the course of this investigation it became clear that members were violating various Fraternity policies, including those which prohibit hazing.”
via M Live:
This is the second time Zeta Beta Tau’s UM chapter has been shut down. The fraternity had been in the process of recolonizing, or reestablishing itself on the UM campus , University Spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said, after it had previously been shut down in 2012. Fitzgerald said that while this was the fraternity’s decision, UM’s Dean of Students Office is offering assistance to affected students. Zeta Beta Tau ended pledging in 1989 as a safeguard against hazing.
The actions of the brothers of the Colony at the University of Michigan violated our policies and acted in ways antithetical to our mission and values,” ZBT’s national release said. “Health and safety is a top priority of Zeta Beta Tau, and we are committed to facilitating a positive fraternity experience.”
The decision to revoke the charter comes after UM’s Interfraternity Council announced earlier this month that it would begin to phasing in restoration of social privileges following an eight-week self-imposed suspension of all social and new member activities.
A letter from the IFC noted that after extensive review to identify policies and practices needing improvement within the community, fraternities can begin a phased process in which chapters are notified of specific action plans they will need to complete.
The revocation of ZBT’s charter comes just months after the university’s the IFC voted to suspend all social and new member activity at University of Michigan fraternities. The suspension banned social, date parties, hazing activities with new pledges and general brotherhood meetings involving alcohol.
