2008 Woodie Awards
University issues fraternity sanctions
Two chapters still being investigated by their national affiliations
Jonathan Thomas
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News
Drury University issued formal disciplinary sanctions against the school's four fraternities Monday for their involvement in September's Bid Day incident.
Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Pi have been issued similar sanctions, while Kappa Alpha and Sigma Nu could still face more significant sanctions from their national offices. Currently, both Sigma Nu and Kappa Alpha are on temporary suspension until the chapters' national offices complete their investigations.
Included in the sanctions for Sigma Pi are ten hours of community service on campus completed by Nov. 1; 100% chapter attendance at the Oct. 9 convocation on binge-drinking; 100% chapter attendance and participation in the Choices alcohol workshop completed by Nov. 1; a $50 fine assessed to all initiated members; and social restriction for the remainder of the Fall 2008 semester.
Lambda Chi's sanctions included all of Sigma Pi's except one: a $50 fine.
The fine was only given to Sigma Pi because of their unwillingness reveal the name of the property owner where the chapter's off campus party was held.
Although Sigma Pi and Lambda Chi were not directly involved in what turned out to be a near death experience for Nathan Lipps on Bid Day, they were still sanctioned for breaking guidelines about illegal use of alcohol.
As stated in Drury guidelines: "any illegal use, possession or trafficking of alcohol is forbidden."
All four fraternities are currently on social restriction, meaning they cannot host any event where the ration of members to guests is higher than one-to-one.
The specifics of the sanctions imposed on Sigma Nu and Kappa Alpha were not shared with the Mirror. Both chapters chose to hold off on commenting until their national investigations were over. However, both chapter's national offices have confirmed that they are in the process of conducting an investigation.
Not everyone will learn a lesson from these sanctions, said Andrea Battaglia, director of Greek life. However, she believes it is an educational process.
"I think that, with any case, sanctions are meant to be part of an education process so that students are given the opportunity to learn from their choices," Battaglia said.
These sanctions, while being the official decision of the university, are not final. All fraternities have the right to appeal the decision and are then able to have a formal hearing with the student judicial board.
"I have not had a chance to meet with the chapter, so I can't say yet whether we will be appealing the sanctions," Clond said.
Sigma Pi, however, plans on rejecting the sanctions today, said Jon Waltke, president of Sigma Pi.
"The sanctions are inconsistent with the level of violation," Walke said.
Dean of students, Tijuana Julian, thinks that the sanctions were issued to encourage students to make better choices. "I think the sanctions were to educate students and hopefully help them to learn something from this incident," Julian said.
Sigma Nu's national chapter will hold an on site investigation the second week of October.
Sigma Pi sanction letter
Lambda Chi Alpha sanction letter
Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Pi have been issued similar sanctions, while Kappa Alpha and Sigma Nu could still face more significant sanctions from their national offices. Currently, both Sigma Nu and Kappa Alpha are on temporary suspension until the chapters' national offices complete their investigations.
Included in the sanctions for Sigma Pi are ten hours of community service on campus completed by Nov. 1; 100% chapter attendance at the Oct. 9 convocation on binge-drinking; 100% chapter attendance and participation in the Choices alcohol workshop completed by Nov. 1; a $50 fine assessed to all initiated members; and social restriction for the remainder of the Fall 2008 semester.
Lambda Chi's sanctions included all of Sigma Pi's except one: a $50 fine.
The fine was only given to Sigma Pi because of their unwillingness reveal the name of the property owner where the chapter's off campus party was held.
Although Sigma Pi and Lambda Chi were not directly involved in what turned out to be a near death experience for Nathan Lipps on Bid Day, they were still sanctioned for breaking guidelines about illegal use of alcohol.
As stated in Drury guidelines: "any illegal use, possession or trafficking of alcohol is forbidden."
All four fraternities are currently on social restriction, meaning they cannot host any event where the ration of members to guests is higher than one-to-one.
The specifics of the sanctions imposed on Sigma Nu and Kappa Alpha were not shared with the Mirror. Both chapters chose to hold off on commenting until their national investigations were over. However, both chapter's national offices have confirmed that they are in the process of conducting an investigation.
Not everyone will learn a lesson from these sanctions, said Andrea Battaglia, director of Greek life. However, she believes it is an educational process.
"I think that, with any case, sanctions are meant to be part of an education process so that students are given the opportunity to learn from their choices," Battaglia said.
These sanctions, while being the official decision of the university, are not final. All fraternities have the right to appeal the decision and are then able to have a formal hearing with the student judicial board.
"I have not had a chance to meet with the chapter, so I can't say yet whether we will be appealing the sanctions," Clond said.
Sigma Pi, however, plans on rejecting the sanctions today, said Jon Waltke, president of Sigma Pi.
"The sanctions are inconsistent with the level of violation," Walke said.
Dean of students, Tijuana Julian, thinks that the sanctions were issued to encourage students to make better choices. "I think the sanctions were to educate students and hopefully help them to learn something from this incident," Julian said.
Sigma Nu's national chapter will hold an on site investigation the second week of October.
Sigma Pi sanction letter
Lambda Chi Alpha sanction letter
Article last update: 9/30/08 at 10:28 PM CST
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