UCF Sig Ep suspended

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

The Future (the school newspaper) reported the Pi Kapp suspension was thru 2011 and all of the members were given alumni status.

UCF sorority alumnae, are you thinking what I'm thinking? (I'm thinking... who's left to do homecoming?)

Was the article in The Future after the FS&L report? Not saying that the article isn't correct, but it seems odd that Central Florida's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life isn't up to date. And for what it is worth, they still have Pi Kappa Phi listed under IFC chapters. Granted, when you click on the chapter link it says PIKAPPUCF.COM WILL BE BACK SOON! And if you click on the star, it takes you the national website.


Question for Central Florida NPC folk. (Or anyone else, for that matter, who might know.) During recruitment, does Panhellenic (say in the recruitment guide) note which chapters are on probation and for how long? (type and reason too?) The reason I ask is that usually, most IFCs require a chapter on probation (usually some sort of social probation) to do so - i.e. make it known to potential pledges. And more often than not, it is published in the rush guide too.

[TrueBlueKappa]

The article is in the most recent issue of the paper.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by TSteven

Was the article in The Future after the FS&L report? Not saying that the article isn't correct, but it seems odd that Central Florida's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life isn't up to date. And for what it is worth, they still have Pi Kappa Phi listed under IFC chapters. Granted, when you click on the chapter link it says PIKAPPUCF.COM WILL BE BACK SOON! And if you click on the star, it takes you the national website.


Question for Central Florida NPC folk. (Or anyone else, for that matter, who might know.) During recruitment, does Panhellenic (say in the recruitment guide) note which chapters are on probation and for how long? (type and reason too?) The reason I ask is that usually, most IFCs require a chapter on probation (usually some sort of social probation) to do so - i.e. make it known to potential pledges. And more often than not, it is published in the rush guide too.

The article came out yesterday.

I think the web sites for the orgs and the Greek Life web sites should be taken with a grain of salt. Each year, those groups get all new webmasters, officers, etc, and updates in the summertime are rare, except for the dates for recruitment, perhaps.

None of the UCF sororities in the last 10 years has been on any kind of probation that would affect them in the fall from having a successful recruitment. This isn't to say the chapters haven't had internal bumps in the road or probationary terms to meet, but they have not been handed down in such a way that would impact their ability to recruit and retain quality members. I've never heard of a UCF sorority having to disclose anything of the sort to nonmembers or PNMs, for that matter. The matters are considered internal and handled as such. I know of chapters that have had social probations and such-- this is usually handled in the spring time. If any additional terms fall over into the fall term, they usually are in the form of having to hold workshops. It makes no sense to punish the new members for actions that came before their time.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

The article came out yesterday.

I think the web sites for the orgs and the Greek Life web sites should be taken with a grain of salt. Each year, those groups get all new webmasters, officers, etc, and updates in the summertime are rare, except for the dates for recruitment, perhaps.

None of the UCF sororities in the last 10 years has been on any kind of probation that would affect them in the fall from having a successful recruitment. This isn't to say the chapters haven't had internal bumps in the road or probationary terms to meet, but they have not been handed down in such a way that would impact their ability to recruit and retain quality members. I've never heard of a UCF sorority having to disclose anything of the sort to nonmembers or PNMs, for that matter. The matters are considered internal and handled as such. I know of chapters that have had social probations and such-- this is usually handled in the spring time. If any additional terms fall over into the fall term, they usually are in the form of having to hold workshops. It makes no sense to punish the new members for actions that came before their time.

Makes sense now. "The Office of Student Conduct suspended Pi Kappa Phi fraternity until 2011 after the group held a social function while already on a previous suspension."

I agree about web sites being taken with a grain of salt. I've just been impressed with how UCF makes this information public and lists it on their website. And for the most part, being rather current as well.

It makes no sense to punish the new members for actions that came before their time.

And I guess this is my point. Shouldn't PNMs know if a chapter is on probation? It just seems like it would be fair to all the PNMs to know what to expect socially their first semester. Especially since the probation is until the end of fall 2007.

"Restrictive Probation: The following organization is not permitted to host events involving alcohol. Any house parties, mixers, socials, events or recruitment activities must be alcohol-free (dry)."

[adpiucf]

I don't know anything about the situation of the sorority in question, but I know several alumnae members of the chapter, all of whom I greatly respect. I have no doubt the sorority will handle any internal issues with great tact and conduct recruitment with respect for its sisterhood and PNMs.

And no, I don't think PNMs need to know if a chapter is on probation if that probation does not affect them adversely... What I mean by this is that plenty of chapters go on probationary periods at any given time during the school year, and often the terms include submitting chapter minutes, holding additional membership workshops, etc. I don't think this is something that needs to be broadcast if it is already being dealt with. In the case of a probation where the chapter may not hold any kind of social events or participate in university events, then yes, a certain amount of disclosure might be deemed necessary. But in my experience, sororities are loathe to put chapters on this kind of probation in the fall because it can affect fall recruitment numbers and the budget set for the chapter when an expected number of PNMs are anticipated to help meet that budget and housing costs with their dues.

I don't think broadcasting "XYZ is on probation for hosting an unapproved social and now needs to have a workshop on the importance of meeting deadlines and submitting paperwork" does anything for anyone. If XYZ is on social probation, they can put a positive spin on it by promoting "Sisterhood Semester" and a huge variety of activities designed to celebrate their organization. It just depends... I would expect that advisers and nationals would work with the chapter officers to help a chapter complete a probation and if it is expected to affect recruitment, to find a "spin" to help them remain competitive.

[PKPUCF]

Pi Kapp was (unfairly) suspended. However, please don't believe the OSI bullshit. We are currently using alternative methods to expose how corrupt and poorly run OSI is, which ultimately resulted in our initial suspension stemming from an '05 incident.

If you didn't know how poorly run and unjust OSI-Student Conduct is run, then you'll soon know. We're tired of sitting back and being trampled over while people make ignorant assumptions.

[Faith4Keep]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

UCF sorority alumnae, are you thinking what I'm thinking? (I'm thinking... who's left to do homecoming?)

There are lots of larger fraternities at UCF nowadays. The larger ones include: Alpha Tau Omega, Theta Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Chi... there's probably more that I can't think of right now since we're in the summer. There's also lots of smaller ones. For Greek Week the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life determine who are large frats and who are smaller ones and pair them up with each of the sororities, but for Homecoming it's every group for themselves; fraternities match up if they want and serenade the sororities they want.

Secondly, I stand corrected- I meant to say probabtion, not suspended. My mistake!

Third, my personal opinion on the subject of groups on probation is that, while PNMs should be smart enough to keep up with the information that is on the OFSL website themselves, they are generally pretty ignorant about it. I think it should be said, and possibly the rho gammas or exec board for recruitment might discuss why a group would recieve probation of any kind. On the other hand, doing so may have a huge affect on the chapter's recruitment. Either way, I don't feel that anything should be 'covered up' for the sake of recruitment.

Finally, I'm not thrilled with the above poster who says they are going to "expose" OSI. I'm sure you are angry and upset with how things are happening, but it seems pretty clear to me (and a lot of my greek friends) that it was a pretty silly idea to hold a chapter event (with girls who will take lots of pictures and put them on facebook, nonetheless) when you are on social probation. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but I'm just surprised that no one stood up and said "This might just get us in more deep with the university than we already are". OSI is a fairly well run SGA entity, and I would suggest that if you have issues with the system, your best bet would be to discuss this with the office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, or talk to President Hitt about it at an Open Forum.

Sorry for the crazy long post!

[Kevin]

First of all, brothers need to be made aware that under no circumstances should there ever be cameras at these events. You can't prevent camera phones, etc., but obviously, if someone is walking around snapping pictures with their digital camera, tell them to stop or leave.

Next, if you're drinking, plastic opaque cups are cheap. They should absolutely be used, no question.

Lastly, talk to your chapter about what is and isn't okay to put on their myspace/facebook. Make sure your chapter's judicial officers have a policy for dealing with these sites.

Pictures have brought down several chapters in recent weeks. It's best not to engage in the behavior that'd get you in trouble, but assuming that you do, just an ounce of preparation can avoid most myspace/facebook snafus.

[PKPUCF]

Originally Posted by Faith4Keep

Finally, I'm not thrilled with the above poster who says they are going to "expose" OSI. I'm sure you are angry and upset with how things are happening, but it seems pretty clear to me (and a lot of my greek friends) that it was a pretty silly idea to hold a chapter event (with girls who will take lots of pictures and put them on facebook, nonetheless) when you are on social probation. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but I'm just surprised that no one stood up and said "This might just get us in more deep with the university than we already are". OSI is a fairly well run SGA entity, and I would suggest that if you have issues with the system, your best bet would be to discuss this with the office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, or talk to President Hitt about it at an Open Forum.

Sorry for the crazy long post!

No offense- but your defense of OSI doesn't resonate with me because you haven't dealt with them as we have. We've had to deal with OSI for over a year and a half, and not at all because of us ourselves. What is your experience with OSI......and more particularly, Student Conduct?

To me, it seems as though you are running your mouth about Pi Kapp without any understanding of the facts.

Did you know it took 9 months for Student Conduct to hold a hearing, which was supposed to be done within 2 weeks of the accusation?

Did you know Pi Kapp was suspended in Fall '06 based upon testimony of a surpise witness, a clear violation of our student AND legal rights?

Did you know the surpise witness was never mentioned in the 9 months previous by our accuser? Did you know he was never identified, never appeared in court, and was never REQUESTED to appear?

Did you know that we submited an appeal co-written by a lawyer to OSC, requesting a follow-up hearing with the "myserty man" actually PRESENT and IDENTIFIED.........yet were DENIED? (Another clear violation of our rights).

Did you know OSI did not wait until our hearings about formal to decide our punishment?

I could go on and on. I don't pretend that you know all (if any) of the details of the massive debacle we've had with this office, but please don't comment on things you clearly don't understand.

Lastly, it didn't occur to us that a formal dinner held through a 3rd party vendor would land us 4 years. It was even explained to us, ridiculously, that a gathering of 5 or more brothers is considered a social fraternity function. So, going to dinner with 5 of my brothers was technically in violation of our suspension. Sometimes we should let common sense and logic supercede petty technicalities, no?

[ZTAngel]

Originally Posted by TSteven

And I guess this is my point. Shouldn't PNMs know if a chapter is on probation? It just seems like it would be fair to all the PNMs to know what to expect socially their first semester. Especially since the probation is until the end of fall 2007.

"Restrictive Probation: The following organization is not permitted to host events involving alcohol. Any house parties, mixers, socials, events or recruitment activities must be alcohol-free (dry)."

My chapter has it handled. End of story. But thanks for everyone's concern.

Can we not talk about this anymore?