Penn State: Delta Upsilon penalties include fine, party ban

Delta Upsilon’s Penn State chapter hasn’t faced a criminal trial yet on charges of furnishing alcohol to minors, but the fraternity did face a different kind of hearing Sunday.

According to Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers, the university’s Interfraternity Council held a hearing over the weekend regarding the chapter’s alleged bad behavior.

“The IFC has taken appropriate judicial action according to its bylaws that included a substantial fine, based on the number of members within the chapter and also social probation that prohibits a chapter from hosting social events (parties),” Powers said Monday.

The amount of the fine was not available. The party prohibition, however, is germane to the case.

Delta Upsilon’s criminal charges of furnishing alcohol to minors and unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages stem from parties during August, when police say the fraternity brothers targeted underage freshman girls, providing free beer and pouring vodka into open mouths.

Delta Upsilon waived a preliminary hearing on all charges Wednesday.

State College police said the infractions came to their attention after a female student, attending two such parties at the 229 Locust Lane fraternity house, reported a sexual assault during a party.

“The IFC is fully student run and a Penn State staff member serves in an advisory capacity only,” said Powers. “The judicial review board of the IFC is made up of 15 members from the fraternity ranks across the board.”

This is not the first time the fraternity has been in hot water at Penn State. In 2009, the doors were closed by the its alumni board. It was reopened in 2010.

This story was originally published March 24, 2014 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Penn State: Delta Upsilon penalties include fine, party ban."