Purdue News

April 18, 2002 Two fraternities hit with sanctions for altercations at social event WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University and the Purdue National Pan-Hellenic Council placed one fraternity on suspension and another on probation following fights that occurred during a social event in February. Tamara Rice, assistant dean of students, said today (Thursday, 4/18) the incidents occurred between members of Kappa Alpha Psi and Phi Beta Sigma during an Phi Beta Sigma social event. The fights resulted in several reports of injuries, destruction of property and police intervention. The student-governed fraternity council placed Kappa Alpha Psi on suspension and Phi Beta Sigma on probation, and the university meted out identical disciplinary action. "We want to recognize the efforts of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the individual fraternities in self-regulation; however, due to the severity of the incident, the administration needed to respond," Rice said. According to witnesses, there were two separate incidents during the evening of Feb. 15 and early morning hours of Feb. 16. The first incident occurred around 11 p.m. when police broke up a fight between members of Phi Beta Sigma and Kappa Alpha Psi. The second incident occurred around 1 a.m. after members of Kappa Alpha Psi returned to the event and initiated a fight that led to several reports of injuries and police intervention. "Because members of Kappa Alpha Psi returned to the event to retaliate, the organization was suspended," Rice said. As a result of stipulations in the fraternity council suspension, Kappa Alpha Psi will not be allowed to hold any social events on or off campus during the next academic year. The council's disciplinary action also stipulates that members of both fraternities must complete a conflict resolution program. The university's suspension mirrors the fraternity council's sanctions and also means the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity will not be able to hold social events on university property. A suspension is the university's second most severe penalty followed only by charter revocation and withdrawal of recognition on campus, Rice said. Probation is a serious reprimand that entails increased scrutiny, but no privileges are revoked. Subsequent violations can result in stricter sanctions. Writer: Grant Flora, (765) 494-2073, gflora@purdue.edu Source: Tamara J. Rice, assistant dean of students, (765) 494-9758 Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page