National organization disbands Auburn fraternity over abuse, alcohol allegations

Published 6:08 am Friday, December 20, 2019

A national fraternity will disband its chapter at Auburn University, where officials suspended the organization over repeated allegations of physical abuse and alcohol infractions.

Beta Theta Pi said in a statement from general secretary S. Wayne Kay that it would close down its Auburn chapter over “several years” of serious offenses, the Opelika-Auburn News reported Thursday.

The chapter, called Delta Zeta, will remain off campus for at least four years, he said.

“Consistent with the fraternity’s position against hazing and unsafe social practices, the fraternity is moving to disband Delta Zeta to best protect the health and safety of its members, as well as the long-term reputation and future of Beta Theta Pi at Auburn,” said the statement.

Auburn suspended the group from campus last month and ordered members to vacate its house. The chapter was established at Auburn in 1964, and it was temporarily banned from campus in 2001.