Penn State President Eric Barron is making his most forceful comments yet on allegations that members of a university fraternity posted illicit photos of nude, unconscious women, drug deals and hazing on a private Facebook group.
In a statement released Wednesday Barron says, “I am shocked and angered by the apparent disregard for not only the law, but also human dignity. I pledge that everything within our power will be done to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and to assist anyone who has been victimized by these shameful acts.”
He goes on to label the revelations as “appalling, offensive and inconsistent with our community’s values. This is not only completely unacceptable behavior, but also potentially criminal.”
Barron says the case suggests there are a number of issues to be dealt within the fraternity system including sexual assault excessive drinking and hazing. “It also brings us to a point where we must ask if a re-evaluation of the fraternity system is required. Some members of the University senior leadership believe it is, and we are considering our options.”
Addressing critics who’ve questioned why the university did not respond sooner, Barron says police only recently made Penn State aware of the investigation.
The scandal, involving members of Kappa Delta Rho, is generating national headlines.
According to court documents, the Facebook group had 144 members — but investigators believe only a handful of members committed the bulk of the alleged crimes.
State College police say cooperation from members of Kappa Delta Rho may be crucial to the ongoing investigation.
“Being invited to a private group is not a crime,” King says. He says members of the group could help police quickly determine the individuals who are primarily responsible for the illegal photos.
Even if simply being a member of the group isn’t a crime, posting illicit photos of unconsenting women certainly is. State College Police Lt. Keith Robb says the allegations could constitute misdemeanor harassment and invasion of privacy. If the person who took a photo has also ever had sex with the subject it could fall under the recently-enacted “revenge porn” law, officially known as misdemeanor unlawful dissemination of intimate images.
When asked if he thought misdemeanor charges were appropriate, Robb says police can only charge individuals within the limitations of the state crimes code.
Robb says the department is also asking potential victims to come forward to help the investigation. Penn State has also encouraged potential victims to reach out to the Office of Student Conduct. Robb says State College police has “partnered” with the Office of Student Conduct and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, though Penn State police are not involved with the investigation.
The national Kappa Delta Rho organization has suspended the Penn State chapter, and says the chapter will be subject to “review and reorganization.”
State College Police Chief Thomas King says the search warrant served on Kappa Delta Rho is only for electronic records and data, and did not apply to the physical Kappa Delta Rho house located off campus on East Prospect Avenue. King says the evidence of drug use in the photos is “not fresh enough” to obtain a warrant to search the house.
“We’re seeking the truth, that’s the bottom line,” Robb says. “Our goal isn’t to charge a bunch of people. Our goal is to find the truth.”
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‘Here We Go Again:’ State College Reflects on Kappa Delta Rho Allegations
Kappa Delta Rho Suspension for Nude Photos on Facebook Prompts National Media Storm
Fraternity Suspended After Police Discover Nude Photos In Facebook Group
