Great outpouring of support!

[DWAlphaGam]

http://www.thelaf.com/news/511826.html

Chi Phi retains charter after committee hearing
Greek community gathers in support

By Lisa Longo

Representatives from all 13 fraternities and sororities assembled in front of Kirby Hall of Civil Rights Wednesday afternoon in support of Chi Phi fraternity as the organization’s fate was determined at a Student Conduct Committee hearing inside.

The Committee found that Chi Phi is permitted to remain on campus and retain its charter, said Chi Phi President John Zembron ‘04. According to Dean of Students James Krivoski, it could take several days before the organization receives official notification in writing. The Committee chair must deliver the decision to Associate Dean of Students Kevin Worthen who will then notify Chi Phi, he said. Worthen could not be reached for comment at time of press.

According to the August 29, 2003 issue of The Lafayette, Chi Phi was under investigation for a possible infraction of college policy as a result of an incident at the fraternity house on May 18.

“We went into the meeting wanting to do everything we could to remain on campus,” said Zembron. “We understand the problems that our incident arose from. We acknowledge them and hope it can create a positive situation for us and the entire Greek community.”

Zembron said he was “extremely proud of the turnout" outside Kirby during the hearing. “Whereas we haven’t always acted as a community,” he said, “today we really did.” Fraternities and sororities were informed of the gathering through an e-mail circulated by Zembron asking the community to show support. The crowd served as encouragement for Zembron, who spoke before the committee during the hearing. “It made me more positive about us sticking around and being a part of this community,” he said.

The crowd of approximately 200 began assembling around 3:45 and dispersed a half hour later after Chi Phi brother Nick Tonzetich ‘04 addressed the crowd. “[The Committee] said we’re too loud out hear but I think that’s good,” he said. “We made our point.”

Members of Chi Phi lingered outside Kirby until the verdict was announced two hours after the start of the hearing. The brothers expressed appreciation for the outpouring by the other Greek organizations.

“I’m very impressed by the turnout,” said Chi Phi brother Chris O’Brien ’06. “I expected a good turnout but this is amazing.”

“It’s incredible that people realize how important the Greek community is to the campus and they stand by it,” said Chi Phi brother Alex Kharaz ’06.

For many, the gathering had positive implications for the Greek system as a whole.

“It’s amazing,” said Pan Hellenic Council President Christine Bender ’04. “We always talk about being a Greek community and supporting each other regardless of negative or positive.”

“I’m really pleased they could all come together as a community and how their support,” said Assistant Director and Advisor to Fraternities and Sororities Eliot Sokalsky.

“Without Greek life, the school would be missing out on something important,” said Marc London ‘06 of Chi Phi. “Everyone should come together as a whole to keep all Greek organizations on campus.”

“The school is starting to oppress Greek life at Lafayette,” said Zeta Psi brother Andy Matos ’04. “Greek life is invaluable to Lafayette and provides a social atmosphere that this campus desperately needs.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lafayette's Greek community has not typically been known for supporting each other. I'm hoping this means that they're starting to turn over a new leaf, and I think it's a good example of how everyone should work together. (BTW, I don't know what the "incident" was that happened at Chi Phi; the previous article didn't go into any details, either.)