FYI-Despite investigation, Kappa Alpha Psi likely to have house in the fall

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From The University of Alabama...

Despite investigation, Kappa Alpha Psi likely to have house in the fall
By Nick Beadle
Student Life Editor
June 11, 2003


Though little new information has surfaced about the University's investigation into Kappa Alpha Psi, a Residential Life representative has said the Capstone's first black fraternity has a house to return to this fall -- for now.

Residential Life assignment specialist Judy Carter, who handles small groups' housing for the University, said last week that Kappa Alpha Psi has not lost its house and should return to the University in the fall. Since a UA investigation into a possible Student Code of Conduct violation by the fraternity began in the spring, there have been rumors saying otherwise.

Despite the rumors, Carter said the fraternity, for the time being, will return in the fall.

"Until I hear something official with somebody, I'm going to assume they're coming back," she said.

Carter said some student organizations have expressed interest in the Kappa Alpha Psi house but added that such interest is not out of the ordinary.

Assistant Director of the Office of Student Judicial Affairs Mark Foster said last week he could not comment on what type of Code of Conduct violation was being investigated. He did say that the penalties for students or organizations that commit such violations range from a warning to suspension from the University.

Carter said greek organizations lose their on-campus housing if the University or their national chapter places them on suspension.

"If they're in trouble and the University isn't going to recognize them, then they will lose their house," she said.

No members of the fraternity contacted by The Crimson White would comment on the investigation or on Kappa Alpha Psi's status as a greek organization recognized by the University and by their national organization. They also refused to comment on the housing situation.

However, Kappa Alpha Psi member Kyle Buchanan called many of the rumors surrounding the University's investigation into the fraternity false.

Carl Davis, the 2002-03 president of Kappa Alpha Psi, could not be reached for comment.

The 2002-03 academic year was a troubled one for the Capstone's chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Shots were fired outside the fraternity's house last August when two men attempted to force their way into a party. Lt. Beth Turner of the University of Alabama Police Department said the investigation into the Kappa Alpha Psi shooting has been placed on inactive status due to a lack of new information in the case.

Though investigators made arrests in connection to the shooting, the information gathered from those arrests failed to resolve the case.

"[Investigators have] been unable to identify the actual person responsible for the incident," Turner said.

Kappa Alpha Psi's 1.874 average GPA during the fall semester was the lowest among the University's 25 fraternities. After the fraternity GPA rankings were released in February, Davis told The CW he had requested that the Office of the Dean of Students re-calculate the GPA.

However, Assistant Dean of Students Todd Borst said last week that the fraternity's grades were not averaged a second time.

"We looked at the situation and a re-calculation would not have affected their grades," he said.

The Office of the Dean of Students has not released average greek organizations' GPAs for the spring semester yet, Borst said. Greek organizations release their average GPAs to the public after receiving them from the Office of the Dean of Students.

Borst said Kappa Alpha Psi's low GPA does not warrant any UA sanctions against the fraternity at this time, but he said the fraternity could suffer penalties from its national sponsor.

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