May 13, 2005

Appeals board upholds withdrawal of recognition from fraternity

The board, made up of seven members, the majority of whom are students, listened to three hours of testimony that included statements from two fraternity members, two alumni of the fraternity, the regional director of the fraternity's national organization and an associate dean of students.

The board deliberated slightly more than a half hour before agreeing that the penalty was appropriate, said Cathy Sleeth, the appeal board chairperson. The decision of the board, which operates independently of the Office of the Dean of Students, is final.

Pablo Malavenda, an associate dean of students who represented his office at the hearing, said, "I have a lot of respect for the national fraternity, but these young men weren't living up to that reputation and ideals of the national organization. The only remedy I see is for them to take some time off, and then we'll help them come back in 2010.

 "And I do hope the alumni support will be there in 2010 to help them."

The allegations centered on a party for which Kappa Alpha Psi rented the Delta Sigma Phi house, 341 Northwestern Ave. As many as 500 people reportedly were present according to police and ticket sales.

Officers from the Purdue and West Lafayette police departments and the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office reportedly 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.

University regulations state that fraternities and sororities are responsible for activities and conduct related to their events.

The fraternity also was accused of mismanaging funds because it did not fill out an activity report or deposit the proceeds from two of its parties.

The fraternity, which until spring 2003 had been on suspension following a 2002 incident, included seven members this spring and does not have a house of its own.

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. It does not affect the individual members or the alumni.

Regional officers of Kappa Alpha Psi were consulted during the investigation process.

In conjunction with the university action, the national organization issued a "cease and desist" order and issued a statement that alumni who were challenging Purdue's decision did not speak on behalf of the fraternity. Now that the university's case is closed, the national chapter will begin investigating the charges and may impose additional sanctions.

Writer: Jeanne Norberg, (765) 494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu

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

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

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