Consequences...

[DeltAlum]

What happens if you don't follow the rules?

FRATERNITY COULD BE SUSPENDED FOR ALCOHOL ABUSE, VILOATIONS...

-The Ohio University Post, 3-30-2001

Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity is facing charges stemming from a pledge event, during which pledges and big brothers allegedly drank excessive amounts of alcohol in the fraternity house, said Judy Piercy, director of the Ohio University Office of Judiciaries.

Piercy determined the incident at the chapter house on Feb. 28 to March 1 was not hazing.

Pi Kappa Alpha, commonly called Pike, allegedly violated two sections of OU's Student Code of Conduct - A-17, aiding and abetting in alcohol use, and B-7, which prohibits alcohol in common areas of fraternity houses, Piercy said.

OUPD referred the incident to judiciaries and to Athens Municipal Court, according to court records.

In judiciaries, nine pledges and six initiates - the big brothers - faced charges, Piercy said.

Eight of the nine pledges admitted to the charges, including A-6, mental or bodily harm to self, and B-7, she said. The pledges who confessed each received disciplinary probation, varying from one quarter to one academic year.

The six big brothers' judiciaries hearings start today, Piercy said. They face A-17 charges.

Also today, Pi Kappa Alpha, which included 85 men Fall Quarter, must decide whether to accept an administrative hearing. Judiciaries would provide a five-person hearing board to hear the charges.

Pi Kappa Alpha President David Miller could not be reached for comment.

The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity national organization will send a representative to Athens next week to investigate, said Eric Wulf, National Executive Director of Pi Kappa Alpha. National officials will consider the OU chapter's punishment when OU issues a decision.

"Many things could come into play as consequences because of this incident such as expulsion or suspension," Wulf said.

OU officials blocked Pi Kappa Alpha on Wednesday from participating in Greek Week because the organization might be suspended when Greek Week arrives, said Julie McDermott, tri-chairwoman for the week.

Scott Copley, OU Assistant Director of Student Activities for fraternity and sorority affairs declined comment.

The chapter members ranked third academically of OU's 17 fraternities with a 3.049 grade point average Fall Quarter, according to Office of Student Activities reports.

Judiciarcies also will hear an appeal today from Phi Gamme Delta, or FIJI, which is charged with violating the Greek alcohol policy on Dads' Weekend, Feb. 23 to 25.

In addition, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity received two quarters probation, which will last through Spring Quarter, for violating the Greek alcohol policy during Homecoming Weekend 2000, Piercy said.


Personal note: Whether the rules are fair or not (or the law, for that matter), they are the rules. If you choose to break them, there may be consequences.

DeltAlum