April 20, 2005

Purdue disciplines 3 fraternities for regulations violations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Three Purdue fraternities have been disciplined by university officials in two separate incidents stemming from a February party at a fraternity house and a fight that took place in March during an event at the Purdue Memorial Union.

The Office of the Dean of Students has withdrawn recognition of Kappa Alpha Psi as a university organization until at least 2010 and placed Delta Sigma Phi on probation until September for violations that took place during a Feb. 12 party. Phi Beta Sigma was placed on probation for the March 5 incident at the Union.

Kappa Alpha Psi members rented a multipurpose room at the Delta Sigma Phi house, 341 Northwestern Ave., for the Feb. 12 party. During the party, officers from the Purdue and West Lafayette police departments and the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office were called to the house.

An investigation into the event uncovered violations of university regulations and state law, including underage drinking, illegal distribution of alcohol, crowd control problems, fighting, and possession of drugs and weapons, said Jason Casares, assistant dean of students for student activities and organizations.

Based on those violations, Kappa Alpha Psi's recognition as a student organization was immediately withdrawn, Casares said. In addition to violations that occurred at the party, Casares said there were concerns about mismanagement of the fraternity's funds and its repeated violations of university regulations over the past 16 years.

"Withdrawal of recognition means that Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity no longer is affiliated with Purdue University and has no rights or privileges associated with official recognition," Casares said. "The sanctions take effect immediately and are final unless the fraternity decides to appeal the decision to the Campus Appeals Board."

The fraternity can appeal the decision by submitting an appeal request to the board no later than April 27.

Regional officers of Kappa Alpha Psi were consulted during the investigation process. In conjunction with the university action, the national organization will revoke the Purdue fraternity's charter and close the chapter.

The Office of the Dean of Students placed Delta Sigma Phi on probation until Sept. 15 for its part in the Feb. 12 incident. The fraternity, which charged Kappa Alpha Psi $800 to use its property for the party, was cited for fire code violations and failure to control its property.

Casares said that the probation will include increased scrutiny of the fraternity's compliance with university regulations. Failure to comply with those rules in the future, he said, may result in stricter sanctions and stipulations, suspension or withdrawal of recognition.

As a result of the Memorial Union incident, the Office of the Dean of Students placed Phi Beta Sigma fraternity on probation through December.

The March 5 fight at the Union allegedly involved four to six members of Phi Beta Sigma. Casares said an investigation uncovered violations of university regulations, including fighting and compromising the safety of event attendees.

As in the case of Delta Sigma Phi, Casares said probation for Phi Beta Sigma will involve increased scrutiny of the fraternity's compliance with university rules. Any future violations could lead to stricter sanctions and stipulations, suspension or withdrawal of recognition.

"A mitigating circumstance in the cases of both Delta Sigma Phi and Phi Beta Sigma was the cooperation we received from the fraternities and their advisers during our investigations," Casares said. "We hope that the fraternities will take this as a learning opportunity and redirect both their personal and fraternal energies toward a more positive end."

Writer: Aaron Martin, (765) 496-3133, martinac@purdue.edu

Sources: Jason Casares, (765) 494-1231, jcasares@purdue.edu

Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students for student activities and organizations, (765) 494-1231, pablo@purdue.edu

Jeanne V. Norberg, Purdue News Service director, (765) 494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu

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

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