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The two fraternities of Swarthmore College, the liberal arts elite in Pennsylvania, announced Tuesday their voluntary dissolution, following the publication of more than 100 pages of internal documents in which members of Phi Psi were discussing the issue. sexual misconduct and mentioned an "attic for rape." "
The publication of these documents prompted dozens of Swarthmore students to storm Phi Psi's house in protest on Saturday. They had camped in and around the house in the days that followed, demanding the dissolution of Phi Psi and the other fraternity of the school, Delta Upsilon.
In a message, the president of the school, Valerie Smith, said the two fraternities had "decided to dissolve and give up their homes."
The Swarthmore papers, published by The Phoenix and Voices, two student-run publications, are read as a series of fraternity meeting reports. The authors discuss among other things the acquisition of drugs of rape and boast of sexual relations with underage girls. The publication of the documents and the ensuing sit-in forced the small school into the center of a larger debate on sexual assault on campus.
In a Facebook post, Phi Psi members wrote that they voted unanimously to dissolve their fraternity after a week of deliberation.
"We were dismayed and disgusted by the content of these minutes," they wrote "which led us to question our membership of an organization whose former members were able to write such odious statements. We can not, in all conscience, be members of an organization with such a painful history. "
The documents seem to report an activity mainly in 2013, before the current members of Phi Psi enter the university, with what appears to be previous and subsequent entries.
"Since the beginning of our membership, we have made it our mission to improve the culture and perception of Phi Psi," they said. "Unfortunately, the wounds are too deep to repair."
Delta Upsilon members have posted a similar message. "Delta Upsilon listened to the concerns and feelings of the campus community," they wrote. "We hope that our old home will provide an inclusive, safe and healing space."
Protesters argued that the documents, although dated, were indicative of a dangerous culture of brotherhood that continues to exist.
After the announcements, the protesters invaded the courts outside the fraternity's houses, raising their fists in the air while they applauded.
"Who is the house?" A man shouted. "Our house!" Replied the crowd.
Amal Haddad, 18, a freshman, was among the protesters.
"Everyone thought we could not do anything to get rid of it," she said. "So this sit-in and the result of the sit-in was just a shocking and extremely festive event."
Ms. Haddad stated that the protesters would likely continue the occupation until the university responds to more requests related to the treatment of sexual assault. "We have not planned to leave for the moment," she said.
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