A shattered front window at Delta Tau Delta is a bleak reminder of the recent surge in thefts and break-ins at University fraternities. The intensity of the crimes has spurred some houses to make major security decisions.
Interfraternity Council President Geoff Palachuk said that since school began, a number of items have been stolen out of Greek houses. Cars have been broken into and severe damage has even been done to the houses.
“This happens every fall,” Palachuk said. “The thefts and break-ins vary in severity, but this year it’s at a whole other degree. That’s why I think this isn’t all just a playful prank.”
At Delta Tau Delta, several cars have been broken into since September. One member whose room is located near the rear of the house had his laptop, iPod and digital camera stolen earlier in the school year, Delta Tau Delta President Duncan Robb said. One night, a brick shattered a front window and a beer bottle was thrown through the house’s front glass doors. In response, Robb increased security in the area.
“The first thing we thought to do was install floodlights in our back parking lot,” Robb said in an e-mail. “We hope that with additional light, potential thieves will be reluctant to keep targeting us.”
Alpha Epsilon Pi is taking similar measures. Three break-in attempts have already occurred since the fraternity moved into its house along 11th Avenue in mid-August.
Like Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Epsilon Pi installed motion sensor floodlights around the house’s perimeter. They also purchased renter’s insurance for all commonly owned items in the house and plan to hire a professional security company to patrol the area at night.

“We are in the process of setting up our security system so that in the case of someone entering onto our property we will be warned,” said Shaun Barneveld, president of Alpha Epsilon Pi, in an e-mail.
Both fraternities filed reports with the Eugene Police Department. Alpha Epsilon Pi is also taking advantage of EPD’s Crime Prevention Specialist service, which assesses property for any security weaknesses.
Palachuk hopes this year’s push for greater unity between the University and the Greek system will discourage further attacks.
“Many of these acts are directed at the Greek system,” Palachuk said. “This year we’re really trying to promote a greater sense of community with the entire school by working with a variety of other student organizations.”
Palachuk is not alone in suspecting that the Greek system is specifically targeted for theft and vandalism. Barneveld remembers similar crimes from prior years, including a break-in last year at Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
“The Greek system is an easy target,” Barneveld said. “(D)onations tend to go to house improvements, and what type of house improvement do most 18-22 year-olds want? Well, large televisions, video game systems and the works. Plus, with anywhere from 30 to 60 people living in a house each individual room can rack up a pretty penny.”
Robb said certain stigmas attached to Greek Life might also be inciting the attacks.
“In the past I have witnessed damage done to the house by people calling members of Greek chapters derogatory names and insults,” Robb said. “It’s ironic in a sense, since one of the times we had two cars broken into was a time when no one was home because we were all volunteering at Page Elementary School in Springfield.”
The most important part, as Barneveld and Robb agree, is keeping their brothers safe.
“We could care less what the implications of a stolen television could be,” Barneveld said. “We just do not want anyone getting into confrontations with those who are breaking in.”
Robb hopes that students outside the Greek system will eventually move past the stereotypes that could be fueling the break-ins. Although he’s aware that not all members live up to the standards set by the Greek community, he urges fellow University students to look past bad examples. Palachuk also believes a more embracing University atmosphere can help prevent crimes against the Greek system.
“The Greek system gets a bad rap, but no matter what people might say, nothing warrants this kind of action,” he said.
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