MIT frat house cited for over-the-top party

Boston cops say they walked in on a man-made staircase waterfall, underage drinking and overcrowding in what they called an unlicensed nightclub when they checked out a wild party Sunday night at an MIT frat house near Kenmore Square.

The frat house “was being operated as a nightclub, with low light, strobe lights, and entertainment provided by a DJ without approval of the City of Boston License Division. The occupants had also installed a waterfall on an interior upper floor that allowed water to fall through the central stairwell, soaking the marble staircase and adding to the hazardous conditions presented by the excessive occupancy,” police said.

Phi Delta Theta was issued a premise violation for having a minor in possession of alcohol inside a licensed dormitory, overcrowding, DJ entertainment without approval and hazardous conditions inside a building.

According to the incident report, before making their way into the frat house, officers saw “fraternity members restricting entry at the door and maintaining a mechanical count of persons inside.”

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology frat house is licensed by the city as a dormitory with a maximum of 39 occupants.

Investigators report there were 116 revelers present shortly before midnight Sunday before they shut down the Labor Day weekend bash.

The report states the frat president and MIT police confirmed the university knew that the event would take place, but was not to exceed 58 people. The frat’s officers could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday.

“Our goal is not to put a damper on students’ fun, but when we see conditions that put these students’ safety at risk — underage drinking, waterfalls down marble staircases, fire hazards and overcrowding — we are obligated to step in and shut it down,” police Commissioner William B. Evans said in a statement.

“Students should be advised that my officers are out there checking and making sure they do the right thing and the safe thing,” he said.

Police said the minor in possession of a can of Bud Light was an 18-year-old male.

A police incident report on the visit identifies the 18-year-old as a Harvard University student.