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Another Article
Lawsuit does not challenge Alfred University's ban on Greek organizations
8/20/02
In spite of widespread news reports that a lawsuit filed in Supreme Court in Allegany County seeks to overturn the Alfred University Board of Trustees' ban of Greek organizations from campus, the actual documents do not challenge the trustees' decision.
Instead, the documents apparently seek judicial remedy to lift
disciplinary suspensions of Sigma Chi Nu, a sorority, and Klan
Alpine, a fraternity, imposed prior to the May 13 board action.
Both groups were suspended following disciplinary hearings in which they were determined to have hazed pledges earlier this year.
Suspension means that the organizations are not permitted to recruit or initiate new members or hold social events until September 2004.
Additionally, they lost voting rights in the InterGreek Council, and
the University declined to release sophomore members from their
housing contracts to live in the fraternity or sorority house.
The documents, filed Aug. 9 at the Allegany County courthouse in
Belmont, ask the court to "(direct) Alfred University to reinstate
Petitioners' (Sigma Chi Nu and Klan Alpine) University recognition to the status afforded prior to the proceedings that are the impact of the petition."
The University's Board of Trustees in May voted unanimously, 25-0, with one abstention, to eliminate the eight fraternities and four
sororities affiliated with Alfred University. It directed President
Charles M. Edmondson and Gerald Brody, dean of students and vice president for student affairs, to draft policies and procedures
determining how the process would occur.
The Board of Trustees' Executive Committee in July approved a
transition plan that allows fraternities and sororities that are in
good standing with the University to continue to function on a
limited basis for the coming academic year. They may register and
hold social events, use University facilities and services and obtain assistance from the Office of Greek Affairs. They will not, however, be permitted to recruit, pledge or accept new members. New policies adopted this summer would make individual members, as well as the houses, liable for disciplinary action if the organizations seek new members.
In order to remain in good standing, fraternities and sororities must have their houses inspected by the Village of Alfred's code
enforcement officer at the beginning of each semester to assure that the houses are in compliance with state and local codes.
Additionally, members will have to obey all federal, state and local
laws as well as applicable University policies, Brody noted.
Of the 12 Greek organizations, all but Sigma Chi Nu, Klan Alpine and Zeta Beta Tau, are in good standing.
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