Editor’s note: The DePaulia has chosen to substitute the language “Greek life” with “Fraternity & Sorority Life” henceforth after a reader indicated the former language is outdated and may make individuals of Greek descent uncomfortable.
Following The DePaulia’s coverage of last weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day party, which violated Covid safety guidelines, DePaul students have since confirmed to The DePaulia who hosted the superspreader party.
According to DePaul senior Ben Richards, one of the people who resides at the apartment where the party took place, his roommate and fellow DePaul student, Barrett Desotell, hosted the party along with three individuals not affiliated with the university. The party took place at Richards’ and Desotell’s apartment in Lincoln Park, and the individuals who reside there are currently quarantining.
“It was my roommate, Barrett Desotell’s party,” Richards told The DePaulia. “This was not a frat party, although there were members of fraternities and sororities present, it was not an official party of any particular chapter.”
According to Barrett, Desotell threw the party because he is Irish, and “always goes hard for St. Paddy’s Day.”
Richards and Desotell, both DePaul seniors, were members of Pi Kappa Phi their freshman year and have since dropped from the fraternity.
“The party was open to anybody, of any race, ethnicity, gender, and age,” he added.
Lincoln Park, the predominantly white neighborhood where the party took place, has comparatively low Covid cases compared to other marginalized Chicago communities as residents are more affluent and have access to more resources.
Public health officials say a collective effort from residents of all Chicago neighborhoods is necessary to effectively combat the persisting pandemic. The city encourages people to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing, which party goers failed to comply with.
“Since Saturday, my roommates and I have been Covid-19 PCR tested and are staying home quarantined until our results come in,” Richards said.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests look for genetic components of the virus. While effective, research suggests that PCR testing is most accurate a few days after symptoms start, or around a week after possible exposure to a person who is infected with Covid-19.
The St. Patrick’s Day party occurred on Saturday, March 13 — four days prior to the official St. Patrick’s Day. Although the residents got tested, PCR tests administered within a short time frame following exposure may lead to false negative results.
DePaul students are not the anomaly when it comes to violating Covid guidelines. Duke University students are currently forced to remain on campus as part of an administration-mandated quarantine in an attempt to curb a spike in Covid cases linked to fraternity parties and events.
Students who violate Covid guidelines pose a threat not only to their respective campuses, but to the surrounding communities as well. Research shows campuses that become Covid hot spots often spreads the virus to nearby residents.
Additionally, while young people are more likely to recover from Covid, older individuals and those with pre-existing health conditions may not be as lucky, health officials warn.
The DePaul Panhellenic Council held an emergency general body meeting on March 17 regarding its action plan in response to those who attended the party. The council barred reporters from entering the meeting — which is its right — so The DePaulia did not attend.
However, 14 East Magazine provided live coverage of the event by gaining access through a third party.
Additionally, the DePaul Interfraternity Council (IFC) will hold an emergency general body meeting on March 22.
“The Interfraternity Council is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our member fraternities, and do not [sic] condone any gatherings that break COVID-19 protocol as set by the CDC, Illinois Department of Health, the City of Chicago, and DePaul,” the statement reads.
“Due to our current ability to adjudicate cases that break COVID-19 guidelines, the Dean of Students Office will be handling the investigation of any fraternity that is alleged to have held a party on St. Patrick’s Day weekend,” the statement continued.
Nichola Tassone, the chapter advisor for DePaul’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter, says he expects more from chapter members.
“As a recent graduate from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, I have gone to great lengths with the chapter [to] ensure that the members of the chapter are educated in and following good public health practices,” Tassone told The DePaulia.
“Up until this past weekend, the chapter has engaged in exceptional public health practices. We were incredibly disappointed to learn that the standards we had set in place were violated by members in our chapter,” he added. “[The Dean of Students] has reached out to some members this week to talk. SAE’s Judicial and Executive Board had already met prior to the original article’s publication and had decided on sanctions for the involved parties.”
Tassone said the chapter will release an official statement later today.
According to the City of Chicago Capacity Guidelines issued on March 2, “Indoor gatherings within private residences cannot exceed 10 individuals. Limit capacity in common areas and amenity spaces to 50% or no more than 50 individuals for indoor spaces or activities, while ensuring social distancing.”
Although the exact number of party goers is unknown, the photos and videos submitted show a large number of individuals in attendance.
“It is more important than ever to follow guidance from local, state, and federal officials on how to stop the spread of the virus…all of which include strict adherence to physical distancing, masking, health screening and sanitation protocols,” Chicago guidelines say.
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