The College Fix

The Eta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Michigan – the oldest sorority on the Ann Arbor campus – has been shut down, and a viral Snapchat video showing some of its members involved in a drunken party likely played a role.

The video captured scenes of underage drinking, a row of shirtless Theta girls kissing male students and images of licked chocolate sauce off of young men’s chests in what many believe was a hazing ritual of some sort. It was filmed in what appears to be an undergraduate dorm room, according to a copy of the video obtained by The College Fix.

It was allegedly recorded during the fall semester in the period between bid day and initiation when Theta is rumored to assign tasks under the table to new members. After the video went viral, the chapter was suspended for this spring semester, although officials never officially linked the video to the decision.

But after breaking the rules of their suspension last week, Theta’s national committee said it had no other choice but to revoke the UMich charter, a decision made earlier this week. The nature of the most recent violations were not disclosed.

“Despite ongoing support and education provided to the chapter by Fraternity officers and staff [following the release of the video], recent chapter activities constituted serious violations of Fraternity policies and were contrary to the Fraternity’s basic principles,” Liz Rinck, a spokeswoman for the national chapter, said in an e-mail to the Free Press.

Members of the Eta Chapter and the Kappa Alpha Theta Grand Council could not be reached for comment by The College Fix regarding the disbandment.

“Kappa Alpha Theta was on suspension at U-M, but still functioning, after going through U-M’s Greek Activities Review Panel process in January for violations including underage drinking and hazing,” said Rick Fitzgerald, spokesman for the university, in an email to The Michigan Daily. “My understanding is that this [disbandment] was a decision of the sorority’s national office.”

Disbandment of a sorority or fraternity revokes the chapter’s ability to officially be involved in the Greek system for four years. After that point, the women’s fraternity can petition for reinstatement of their charter on campus.

This is not the first Greek organization to have been expelled from U-M’s campus. Last year, the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity was disbanded after causing an estimated $400,000 worth of damage to Treetops Resort in northern Michigan while on a ski trip.

In a similar situation, the fraternity was initially put under suspension. However, after not “stepping up and facing the music,” according to the executive director of the fraternity, they were inevitably kicked off campus. Their sister sorority, Sigma Delta Tau was also present on the trip and received the punishment of a two-year suspension from Panhellenic Association recruitment.

The Michigan Daily has reported that all members living in the Theta sorority house will be required to vacate the property by the end of April. Kappa Alpha Theta was established on the campus more than 135 years ago.

RELATED: Frat houses could be searched without a warrant under Indiana University proposal

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