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October 30, 2003

Purdue disciplines student organizations for alcohol violations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University placed a sorority and a fraternity on probation for three months each for violating university regulations on the consumption of alcohol in separate incidents.

Chi Omega sorority and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity sponsored off-campus social events recently that allegedly violated Indiana State law on the distribution of alcohol.

"Responsibility for these violations is shared between the individual students cited and the organizations sponsoring the social events," said Andrew Robison, assistant dean of students. "In each case the sponsoring organization tried to do the right thing by hiring a bartending service to control alcohol distribution, but in other respects their efforts came up short."

Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity sponsored a dance on Sept. 26 at Riehle Brothers Tavern in Lafeyette where 54 individuals were arrested for underage consumption of alcohol. Chi Omega sorority sponsored a barn dance on Oct. 17 in White County where they hired a bartending service to serve alcohol to their members. Police cited the bartender for alleged sale of alcohol without a permit and arrested 36 students for underage consumption. The students who were arrested in both incidents face criminal prosecution.

The university placed the sorority and fraternity on probation for three months (until February 1, 2004). Also, Chi Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha members must complete at least three hours of risk management education and sponsor at least two campus-wide alcohol education programs that include information on event sponsorship procedures and are approved by the Office of the Dean of Students.

No organizational funds were used to purchase alcohol in either instance, none of the students had been drinking heavily, and bus transportation was provided to and from the events, Robison said.

Student organizations found in violation of university regulations face penalties including a verbal warning, written warning, probation, suspension or withdrawal of campus recognition. There is no appeal process for violations that are punished with probation.

"There are no penalties associated with this probation, but the organizations will be under increased scrutiny," Robison said. "If there are further complications, then we could expand the probation or move toward a suspension level."

Writer: Reni Winter, (765) 496-3133, rwinter@purdue.edu

Source: Andrew Robison, (765) 494-1231, robison@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Related Web sites:
University Regulations
Office of the Dean of Students


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