WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University officials on Tuesday (Oct. 6) announced that two campus fraternities have been placed on probation for violating university regulations and the Interfraternity Council Risk Management policy on alcohol consumption.

Sigma Chi Fraternity (Delta Delta Chapter) is on probation through Dec. 31, 2009 for violating university regulations and the Interfraternity Council Risk Management policy on alcohol consumption.

Sigma Chi Fraternity is on probation through Dec. 31, while Sigma Nu Fraternity will be on probation for one year, through Sept. 30, 2010, said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. If the fraternities satisfy the probationary conditions, they will be reinstated to full status.

University investigations concluded that alcohol was served to minors at Sigma Chi during an unregistered function on Sept. 4 and at Sigma Nu during a bid night on Sept. 9. University and Interfraternity Council members deemed that due to violations of dry recruitment policies by Sigma Nu, their offense merited a longer probation than that of Sigma Chi.

Sigma Nu Fraternity (Beta Zeta Chapter) is on probation through September 30, 2010 for violating university regulations and the Interfraternity Council Risk Management policy on alcohol consumption.

“Our hope is that with the sanctioning of these two organizations, other groups will get the message that if your chapter disregards Purdue University and Interfraternity Council policies, they will be held accountable,” said Kyle A. Pendleton, assistant dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life. “The safety of all members of the Purdue community has been, and will continue to be, a priority for the governance of the fraternity and sorority community.”

In order for the fraternities to regain full recognition in good standing, the chapters must abide by the following terms:

• Members and alumni volunteers must work with their international headquarters to establish a plan for the continuous improvement of social practices. This should include the education of all members on the fraternities’ initiatives and risk management practices.
• At least 50 percent of Sigma Chi’s chapter and 80 percent of Sigma Nu’s must attend the 2009 Indiana Greek Leadership Conference.
• Eighty percent of the two chapters’ active members must attend a screening of the documentary “HAZE.” At least one member of the advisory team must attend and should assist in the facilitation of a discussion with the chapter.
• No functions with alcohol will be permitted at the Sigma Chi chapter facility until Jan. 11. The same applies to Sigma Nu until Jan. 19. After that day, “list functions” with alcohol will be prohibited at the Sigma Nu chapter house, and only registered, co-sponsored functions with one additional sorority will be permitted until March 22, 2010.
• Any event at which alcohol is served at a third-party establishment must be approved in advance by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the chapters’ international office, and the Interfraternity Council.
• The fraternities must support the academic mission of the university in its behavior, programming and scholastic achievement.
• The chapters must follow all university regulations, state and federal laws, and their fraternity and International Council requirements for hosting social functions.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University on Friday (Sept. 25) suspended Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity for three months for violating university regulations and the Interfraternity Council Risk Management policy on alcohol consumption.

Phi Kappa Theta, Indiana Zeta Chapter, Purdue University

The suspension will last through Dec. 31, at which time the fraternity chapter can petition the Office of the Dean of Students for reinstatement, said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. If the suspension is lifted, the Phi Kaps would remain on probation until Dec. 31, 2010, at which time a petition could be made to be reinstated to full status.

A university investigation concluded that: After an initial verbal warning on Aug. 18, the chapter continued to operate a Facebook account inviting individuals to parties at the chapter house; the chapter later coordinated an event at which alcohol was provided to minors.

Although the fraternity will maintain a formal connection with the university while under suspension, the chapter is not entitled to: participate in programs with other recognized student organizations; participate in university-sponsored activities; participate in intramural athletics as an organization; use university logos, trademarks and name; and is not eligible for awards through Purdue, regional or national associations and the fraternity’s national headquarters.

“Unfortunately, the chapter chose to disregard the policies and regulations of both Purdue University and the Interfraternity Council,” said Kyle A. Pendleton, assistant dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life. “Our hope is that Phi Kappa Theta will work cooperatively with the university to fulfill the requirements of the sanction, thus avoiding further sanctions.”

In order for the fraternity to regain Purdue recognition, the chapter must abide by the following terms:

• The chapter must submit a development program and receive approval from national headquarters and advisers each semester of the suspension and probation.
• Each semester of the suspension and probation, in consultation with the Office of the Dean of Students, the chapter must plan an alcohol education program. Each member and associate member must participate.
• At least 50 percent of the chapter must attend the 2009 Indiana Greek Leadership Conference in November.
• Chapter members and alumni volunteers must work with national headquarters to establish a plan for continuous improvement of the chapter and its programs. It must adopt all national Phi Kappa Theta initiatives and risk management practices.

The chapter must follow all university regulations, state and federal laws and Phi Kappa Theta requirements.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police are seeking a man in connection with a Thursday (June 12) morning attempted burglary at the Zeta Psi fraternity house, 950 David Ross Road.

The attempt is the second such incident reported in the last two days. Police investigated a burglary reported about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday (June 11) at the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity house at 417 Waldron St.

PUPD composite sketch of suspect

A man was confronted in the houses in both incidents, said Purdue Police Lt. Fred Davis. However, the suspect descriptions vary slightly.

In Thursday’s attempted burglary, a resident was preparing to leave for work around 5:30 a.m. and met a stranger in the hallway, according to a police report. The resident told police the man said he was looking for someone in the house. The man left the building through the front door, and the resident followed him and noticed a large blue duffel bag at the top of the stairs.

“The bag contained tools that the resident believes belong to the fraternity,” Davis said. “The resident looked around the house and didn’t notice anything else missing.”

PUPD composite sketch of suspect in attempted burglary at Alpha Kappa Lamda

The suspect is described as a bald white male in his late 20s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 210-220 pounds. He was wearing a gray T-shirt and jean shorts, and drove away in a gray or light blue, possibly early 1990s, mid-sized van with two windows on the passenger side and double doors in the back, Davis said.

In Wednesday’s burglary at the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity house, a witness reported seeing an unknown man in the house around 8:40 a.m. Sometime after the man left, residents noticed several items – including a camera, a watch and a jar of change – were missing from their rooms. The suspect was described as a white, balding male with a goatee, 30-40 years old, about 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He was wearing a blue button-up, collared shirt and khaki shorts and left in a blue woodgrain-patterned truck, Davis said.

Anyone with information about these cases or who has seen suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-8221 or the anonymous tip line at (765) 496-3784.