The University of Iowa chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity has been temporarily suspended after an alleged hazing incident reported last week by the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
Alpha Delta Phi has been accused of having 56 blindfolded pledges “with food thrown on them” in the fraternity house’s basement, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the local outlet.
According to a police report, pledges were discovered by Iowa City police and university police when the agencies responded to a fire alarm at the fraternity house at around 12:45 a.m. on Nov. 15.
In response the the investigation, the fraternity was ordered by the university’s Office of Student Accountability to “suspend all operations” pending the outcome of the investigation into the hazing allegations.
The fraternity’s national organization also placed the UI chapter under suspension, according to Fox News.
According to a university spokesperson, one person, who is not a student and does not live at the fraternity house, was arrested and charged with interference with official acts.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen identified that person as 21-year-old Joseph Gaya.
His charge stems from standing “in front of the officers in the doorway of the room full of pledges” and refusing to move out of the way, the outlet reported.
He allegedly stepped between two witnesses and an officer during a conversation, and told the witnesses “not to talk to the police.” The officer told Gaya to step away, but he allegedly refused and eventually told the officer, “You can (expletive) leave, how about that?”
The university said its Office of Student Accountability will follow its discipline procedure for student organizations, which includes issuing sanctions for prohibited behaviors, such as hazing.
“As registered student organizations, fraternities are expected to uphold the values of the university, and their members are expected to comply with the Code of Student Life,” the university said in a news release.
The affected students have been offered “counseling and resources,” according to the university.