Delta Kappa Epsilon - Wesleyan University

The Deke Newsletter GAMMA PHI CHAPTER AT WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2023 How We Arrived Here How We Arrived Here Two years ago, the Wesleyan administration suspended DKE. Their reasoning: members of the fraternity failed to adhere to then-prevailing COVID protocols and violated university policies banning hazing rituals of any sort. (Although the specific "hazing" event, a scavenger hunt, might seem innocuous, it is one of several banned activities specifically cited within the university's existing policy.) Consequently, undergraduate brothers were prohibited from participating in any DKE- related activities on campus. No chapter meetings could be held, nor could upperclassmen recruit a pledge class. What's Happening Today What's Happening Today With the conclusion of this previous fall semester, the term of DKE's suspension ended. Given the pandemic restrictions and the length of the suspension, only a handful of undergraduates remain who were at Wesleyan when Gamma Phi was still functioning on campus; however, the allure of our brotherhood is strong. A group of seniors led by Chris Guttman '23, newly installed president of Gamma Phi, applied for the university's formal acknowledgment of DKE as an organization in good standing at Wesleyan. Wesleyan accepted the application, formally lifting DKE's suspension. New Member Education requirements are being implemented to ensure Wesleyan's policies vis-à-vis hazing are adhered to going forward. As Dean Culliton wrote to Chris: "Dean Butler and I are appreciative of the commitment you and your peers are making to change from the organizational traditions which violated Wesleyan's Hazing policies and return in good standing. As a result, we are approving the return of DKE as a student organization effective today." Moving Moving Forward Forward A celebration with a few alumni was held on Sunday, February 19, to honor and hail the 17 new DKE brothers who have already been initiated into Gamma Phi. On top of that, they then initiated 12 new brothers from the junior class and are currently recruiting sophomores and freshmen. By the end of the spring semester, we hope to have all four classes represented and a robust Gamma Phi Chapter back in full force. The young men's tenacity in support of Gamma Phi is even more impressive when one considers that none of the existing brothers have lived at 276 High Street in light of the university's continued prohibition on undergraduates entering the building. Celebrating A Win Celebrating A Win In summary, the heartbeat of DKE at Wesleyan is strong. We are planning a celebration of this resurgence in late April or early May. Stay tuned for more details. In the Bonds, Gary D. Breitbord '79 President, Kent Literary Club (508) 740-9310 gbreitbo@aol.com DKE Returns to Campus DKE Returns to Campus Here's What You Need to Know Brothers young and old celebrate the return of Delta Kappa Epsilon. Twelve of our 17 newly initiated Dekes.

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