Penn State Frat's Secret Facebook Page Showcased Hazing, Drug Use, Nude Unconscious Women

This is the second of Kappa Delta Rho's secret sites; the first was shut down in January

Photo: Gene J. Puskar/AP

A Pennsylvania State University fraternity’s secret Facebook page – a catalog of hazing, drug use and nude, unconscious women – has landed the men of the almost 100-year-old Kappa Delta Rho house in serious trouble.

The fraternity is now the subject of a police inquiry that’s led to its suspension and could result in criminal charges.

“The evidence offered by the Facebook postings is appalling, offensive and inconsistent with the university community’s values and expectations,” said Damon Sims, Penn State’s vice president for student affairs, in a statement Tuesday. “We are confident that the various investigative and review processes, both internal and external to the university, will determine responsibility in this case. The university will hold accountable any groups and individuals found responsible.”

Police were made aware of the website in January, when a former member of the fraternity came forward with printed copies of some of the photographs – among them photos of “females that appeared to be passed out and nude or in other sexual or embarrassing positions” – that represent “a small fraction of the posts on the page,” according to the police affidavit.

The current page was titled “2.0” in reference to the fact that a similar page, called “Covert Business Transactions” (also connected to Kappa Delta Rho), hosted similar images until one of the women pictured discovered it and brought it down last year. According to the affidavit, the new page was created “shortly after” and swelled to 144 members.

The State College police department’s investigation is currently continuing, according to John Gardner, the assistant police chief. He added that while no arrests have been made, harassment charges could yet be filed.

“The national leadership of Kappa Delta Rho is committed to hold our brothers accountable for their actions,” Joseph S. Rosenberg, the fraternity’s executive director, said in a statement. “We embrace the principle of respect for all persons, and we will adhere to that principle in this matter.”

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