The Dean of Students Office is currently investigating the fraternity Delta Tau Delta (DTD) after one of its student pledges stopped breathing and was hospitalized during a pledge event on Feb. 25.
DTD President junior Noah Ornstein confirmed that the Dean of Students was investigating the fraternity.
The fraternity has lost its chapter recognition from DTD International while the investigation at Tufts is ongoing. DTD is currently finishing up a year on probation for a rush violation last spring.
The pledge who was hospitalized, freshman Ian McPherran, declined to comment for the article.
The Dean of Students office did not confirm or deny that DTD has been under investigation, and Dean of Students Bruce Reitman did not return calls made yesterday about the matter.
McPherran was taking medication for pneumonia while attending a DTD pledge event late in February. After drinking and walking around outside, McPherran said he felt unwell and lay down on a couch in another room in the fraternity.
When found unconscious by members of DTD, he stopped breathing for a short period of time. He was taken to the hospital after he stopped breathing again after a brother attempted CPR.
Ornstein said that he was not in town when the incident took place and could not comment on any specifics. "It was an unfortunate incident for him and for us," Ornstein said. "He's doing better and we are working to resolve it with him and the administration as expeditiously as possible."
DTD International said that it is aware of allegations toward the Tufts DTD chapter, which could constitute a violation of its Member Responsibility Guidelines. DTD's Arch Chapter, the fraternity's governing board, suspended the charter of the Tufts chapter, pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.
DTD International said it is cooperating with Tufts and that it will have no further comment until the investigation is complete.
DTD brothers contacted for interviews declined to comment.
This is the second pledge incident investigated by the Dean of Students Office in two years. Zeta Psi was placed on two years of social probation after it was found to have served alcohol to minors as a part of pledging. Two of its pledges were taken to the hospital in Feb. 2003, one of whom was in critical condition. The fraternity was later closed to all residents due to other alcohol violations.
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