Oxford, Ohio, June 14, 2013 – On June 7, Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity received information that its Illinois Beta Chapter at the University of Chicago had received several shipments of boxes addressed to an unknown person in a racist and derogatory manner. The first delivery occurred on May 24.
After being informed of this alleged string of incidents, Phi Delta Theta worked with local alumni officers and university officials to conduct an on-site investigation. During the course of this initial investigation, it was determined that the Illinois Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta received these shipments from an anonymous source, not associated with the chapter, unprovoked. The investigation is ongoing by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Phi Delta Theta fully supports this investigation.
The members of the Illinois Beta Chapter at the University of Chicago are a diverse and intelligent group. At this time, the chapter and general headquarters have no idea who sent the boxes or why. “We are obviously disappointed and offended by this apparent prank that has been pulled on our local chapter,” said Garrett Taliaferro, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity’s Iota Province President. “Whoever is responsible, I want them to be held accountable.”
“As soon as we learned of this, we advised the Illinois Beta Chapter to report the prank to authorities and to cooperate with the investigation to see if they can get to the bottom of this,” said Robert A. Biggs, Executive Vice President of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. “The Fraternity takes this matter very seriously as these mailings are very inappropriate.”
Founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on December 26, 1848, Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has 185 chapters and colonies and 102 alumni clubs across the United States and Canada. To date the Fraternity has initiated nearly 243,000 men into the society whose founding principles are friendship, sound learning and rectitude. For more information about the leadership of Phi Delta Theta, please contact Bob Biggs, Executive Vice President at 513-523-6345 or via email at bob@phideltatheta.org.