Purdue places fraternity on probation following violations

The university issued the yearlong probation after an investigation of the fraternity's activities during the 2005-06 school year.

According to a report from the Office of the Dean of Students, underage fraternity members were allowed to drink alcohol at the chapter house, members used and had marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the house, and members had property belonging to other fraternities, sororities and the university.

Also, during the school year and the pre-initiation period associate members, or pledges, were required to participate in various activities, subjected to pranks, deprived of sleep, verbally and physically assaulted, forced to surrender their personal belongings and kept from moving freely around campus.

"The decision takes into consideration the cooperation of the chapter, advisers and national headquarters throughout the investigation," said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. "Following a membership review by Theta Chi's national headquarters in early March, a large number of the fraternity's members were suspended or chose not to accept their invitations to rejoin."

Organizations on probation retain the rights and privileges the university grants to groups in good standing but are issued a warning and must adhere to a specific list of rules and conditions.

Stipulations of Theta Chi's probation require:

• A new member-development program to be approved by the national headquarters and chapter advisers.

• That new member programs last no more than eight weeks or a length of time set by the national headquarters in consultation with Purdue.

• That new members must be initiated before the 15th week of the semester.

• That all new member activities begin after 6 a.m. and conclude prior to 11 p.m.

• That 80 percent of the chapter attends the 2006 Indiana Greek Leadership Conference.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students, (765) 494-1239

Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1232, pablo@purdue.edu

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

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