The campus revoked its sponsorship of the UC Berkeley chapter of the fraternity Delta Kappa Epsilon last week, citing allegations of hazing, fire safety hazards and other student conduct violations.

Campus officials said the loss of recognition follows four incidents the chapter was involved in during the 2008 spring and fall semesters that violated the Code of Student Conduct.

The chapter was already under social probation at the time, stemming from a fall 2007 incident, fraternity members said.

"The university does not take loss of chapter recognition lightly-for several months we worked with the chapter to try to resolve the matter-but in the end the safety of our students has to be our main goal," said campus spokesperson Janet Gilmore in an e-mail.

Officials added the fraternity may re-apply for sponsorship in four years.

Some members say the loss of recognition will not have a major impact on the chapter's activities. Delta Kappa Epsilon plans to stay in its house on Piedmont Avenue, throw parties and recruit new members without campus affiliation, said chapter President Gregg Irving.

The fraternity's national headquarters still recognizes and supports the chapter, said its executive director, David Easlick. He added that it is one of the fraternity's strongest chapters on the West Coast.

"If they're not recognized by the school, it doesn't mean anything for their success in the future," Easlick said. "So what? They still have a strong alumni network."

The chapter has been on campus since 1876.

Easlick described the university's judicial procedure as a "witch-hunt" and said campus officials made false accusations against the chapter.

"Some of the things were totally ridiculous," he said. "(Officials) accused them of having sex with goats."

Irving said he is aware of those allegations, which he called "ludicrous."

Campus officials declined to comment on details of the allegations.

During fall 2007 and spring 2008, UCPD responded to two incidents at the chapter's house that resulted in its members being accused of student conduct violations, said UCPD Lt. Doug Wing.

The department has not responded to any hazing incidents, he said.

Berkeley police also responded to two fire alarms in 2008 and two "loud parties" in 2009, said Berkeley police Officer Andrew Frankel. He said he is not aware of any hazing incidents.

Irving said the fire alarm incidents likely contributed to two of the four incidents the campus cited in its disciplinary actions.

In both of the incidents, a fire alarm was pulled and fraternity members failed to leave the house, said former Interfraternity Council president Max Schorer.

Irving said the campus alleged that the chapter was also involved in a fall 2008 hazing incident, which its members deny.

The chapter is the third to lose its recognition in recent years, after Alpha Tau Omega in 2005 and Lambda Phi Epsilon in 2008, Schorer said.

Tags: FRATERNITIES, DKE