SDT, ZBT suspended from U. for year
Tri-Delt, TEP on probation for alcohol policy violations; TEP to go dry
By Dax Thomas
September 04, 2003
The Sigma Delta Tau sorority and the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity have lost their charters and have been suspended by the University for one academic year for violating alcohol policies.
The Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity were placed on probationary status for the same violations. In addition, TEP will be forced to go dry for the duration of the probation.
All four houses co-hosted unregistered, off-campus parties involving alcohol, at which "high-risk service and consumption of alcohol occurred," read a statement released by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs yesterday.
In addition to the suspensions, a "significant" number of members from SDT and ZBT have been expelled from their respective houses, according to OFSA Scott Reikofski.
SDT -- which was already on probation for violating alcohol and anti-hazing policies -- and ZBT -- which was already on probation for violating alcohol, drug and dry rush policies -- now have colony status.
In one academic year, they can petition both OFSA and their national headquarters to regain charter status if they have reached an appropriate size -- which Reikofski estimates at 42 members.
Members of both organizations will continue to live in their Greek houses.
Despite sanctions, the two colonies will be able to participate in rush, according to officers from the Panhellenic and InterFraternity councils.
Although IFC President Seth Cohen is a member of ZBT, "he'll be able to keep that role" as president, Reikofski said.
"I am confident that my brothers and my fraternity will be able to handle the situation in a mature and responsible manner," Cohen said, noting that he has every intention of remaining at the IFC helm.
Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum called the four punishments "unprecedented," adding that "the nationals took the allegations against all four of the chapters extremely seriously and were very diligent in their investigations."
SDT was in its second year of probation when violations occurred. Furthermore, according to OFSA's statement, "the chapter deliberately obstructed, delayed and interfered with the investigative efforts of the O[ffice of] S[tudent] C[onduct]."
The SDT national office no longer acknowledges the SDT chapter as an official chapter, but it will oversee the sanctions, which according to Reikofski, will include educational programming and community service. Also, a graduate assistant will be hired by the University to work with the sorority on "regular intervention programming and educational activities."
Dianna Cohen, president of SDT, said she is not worried about rushing as a colony, as "the sorority has always filled its quota."
ZBT was in the second year of its three-year probation before violations occurred.
The fraternity will also have to work with a graduate assistant on intervention programming and educational activities.
John Yulish, the executive director of the National Office of Zeta Beta Tau, reinforced the decision to suspend the chapter, saying it was "done to show the chapter we're serious.... Hopefully this sends a message."
Yulish added he will be "coming to campus a few times each semester" to check on the status of the fraternity.
Jon Schottenstein, the president of ZBT, saw the charter suspension as a chance to "reorganize ourselves as a chapter."
"I've spoken with the leadership of both ZBT and SDT and I feel that they are implementing a lot of positive changes," said Conor O'Callaghan, executive vice president of the IFC. "And I think the freshmen will see those changes, and I don't think there will be a negative impact on the rush process."
Tri-Delt is facing the lesser punishment of probation, as the chapter "had no previous disciplinary action," according to OFSA's statement.
Tri-Delt's president and the sorority's national office could not be reached for comment last night.
TEP's president and the fraternity's national office could not be reached for comment last night as well.
UPenn Fraternity & Sorority Suspended
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