[Faith4Keep]

I've been very involved with OSI through my leadership in various student organizations. I know how they run and do things, and I've had plenty of problems with myself. Coincidently, most of the problems I've had with OSI have been fairness issues.

Like I said, I'm not pointing fingers and I'm not "running my mouth". But I had to slap my forehead when I was speaking to a girl (who is a mutual friend) and works at a UCF office when she said "OH yeah, I went to PI Kapp's formal and it was a blast!!". I had no idea about the rest of your debacle, but if it is true that you got together and had a 'formal' then I personally feel there is no excuse. You were on social probation and those were the terms. Regardless of what had previously happened, in any case like this you have two choices- suck it up and get through it, or cry out "Injustice!!!" and try to ignore it/fight back. Most of the time, sucking it up works better.

Unfortunately, the official event rule- that's one of the UCF rules that I'm heavily pursuing to get re-written right now by the Golden Rule committee. During a meeting of SGA's Student Advocacy Committee, we were reading over the proposed Medical Amnesty bill when I saw that when two members of any organization are socializing, it is considered an official event of that organization. I think that is absolutely rediculous. And while that rule is rarely used to define an RSO's event, it CAN be used to define one because that's what's currently written. I'm really, really sorry for that.

But- it's not like you were "uninformed". It did not have to be explained to you, because you signed a paper early in your college career that said that you understand the Golden Rule and will adhere to it, as well as any changes that the GR committee deem necessary (or something to this effect). Again, unfortunately, many student organizations (not just greek) can and will get in trouble under this stupid, rediculous rule. So, you can't be upset that it's being used against you if you did not read the rules. Rediculous, yes. Uninformed, unfortunately no.

I definitely agree with your last comment, that logic should supercede technicalities... but businesses and corporations, even educational institutions, use what's in writing.... (not logic). Sucks.

I can only assume what's going on (maybe they couldn't put together a unbiased Student Conduct hearing, since many of those on the committee are greek?) but because of the situation, I won't assume. I urge you, in fact I beg you, to not "expose" OSI in any crazy protest or going through the sentinel or whatever, which it sounds like you are wanting to do (another assumption). If you have any respect for your fellow students, and even moreso your fellow greeks, you will not cause more problems in the system.

What I CAN say is talk to President Hitt, Provost Hickey, and Dr. Ehasz about the situation in a respectful manner. They have open forums and from my personal experience, I have gotten several drawn-out campus-wide problems solved just by explaining the situation to them. I'll warn you though, they hate nothing more than an angry, disrespectful, impolite student who won't let the admins get a word out. You could also go through OMBUDS. You could talk to the Board of Trustees, even the Board of Governors. You could do so many more things before resorting to whatever you are going to do. Please, don't make it harder on the rest of us than it already is.