The national board of a UConn fraternity that has been suspended addresses claims of hazing
Dr. Andrew Ramjit, executive director of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc., stated, “As our track record shows, Lambda Theta Phi seeks to collaborate with our host institutions and municipalities in ensuring the safety of our students. When included by our host institutions, we do not hesitate to take swift accountability steps when student safety is at risk.”
“Aware of the allegations that have been levied against Brother David Vallejo and the suspension of our Lambda Chapter at the University of Connecticut,” Ramjit informed the board members of the Hartford Courant.
The UConn Police Department and Connecticut State Police detained Vallejo, 23, on suspicion of assault, strangulation, unlawful restraint, and disorderly behavior.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, state police said that Vallejo’s charges are related to incidents that were reported on consecutive nights in February at a Willington home. During the fifth and sixth nights of the initiation process into the university’s Lambda Theta Phi chapter, Vallejo allegedly assaulted a UConn student who was having trouble reciting what pledge masters were saying.
According to the criminal document, the student claimed that when he and another pledge mispronounced the lines and were exhausted, he was tossed across the room by Vallejo and forced to perform pushups. Additionally, he claimed that on both evenings, Vallejo pressed his forearm against his throat.
Later, the pledge texted Vallejo to let him know he was no longer interested in becoming a member of the fraternity. When he saw him again on campus the next month to return his pledge uniform, Vallejo allegedly put his arm around the victim’s throat again, suffocating him, because the victim had refused to pay the remaining amount of his fraternity initiation fee, according to an affidavit from the state police and UConn police.
“As soon as we learned about the accusations, we suspended him pending an investigation. We will collaborate with all relevant parties to acquire data and decide on the next course of action for Brother Vallejo and the chapter,” Ramjit stated. We respectfully request that any conjecture and presumptions be put on hold until the investigation is finished.
The institution “takes a zero-tolerance approach to behaviors that endanger others, and is committed to providing safe, healthy, and respectful environments in all UConn organizations and on UConn’s campuses,” according to a statement released by UConn this week.
University of Connecticut officials state that Lambda Theta Phi has had a chapter on campus since 1991. Its ban, which was announced on Thursday, went into force right away as authorities looked into the claims of hazing. Vallejo is anticipated to appear in Rockville Superior Court on May 21 in relation to both cases. He is currently free on a $30,000 bail.