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 officials on Wednesday (March 11) announced that two fraternities and a sorority have been placed on probation for violating the university’s hazing policies.

Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, 629 University St., and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, 325 Waldron St., were placed on probation after new fraternity members were required to drink alcohol and perform tasks for active sorority members at a Big Sis Night. The fraternity Lambda Phi Epsilon was placed on probation after new members were subjected to psychological and physical abuse, including depriving them of sleep.

Pi Kappa Alpha has been placed on probation through the end of new member education in spring semester 2010. Kappa Kappa Gamma is on probation through the end of fall semester 2009. Lambda Phi Epsilon is on probation until the end of the spring 2010 semester.

“We have already had a dialogue with the chapter leaders, alumni and national office staff,” said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. “We are looking forward to working collaboratively to assist the chapters in getting beyond this to become stronger organizations. We view this as an educational process and an opportunity to work closely with these chapters at this difficult time.”

Organizations on probation retain the rights and privileges the university grants to groups in good standing but are issued a warning and must adhere to a specific list of rules and conditions.

All three organizations must attend a variety of campus events and programming, such as hazing, new membership and alcohol education programs and the Student Leaders Retreat on Aug. 19-21.

In addition, Lambda Phi Epsilon is not allowed to have a new members class for spring 2009; Lambda Phi Epsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha must have their new member education program reviewed by the Office of the Dean of Students and their national offices; Pi Kappa Alpha and Kappa Kappa Gamma will have to work together on the development of an educational program in conjunction with Hazing Prevention Week; and Pi Kappa Alpha must have 70 percent of its members participate in at least two community service projects each semester.

At the end of each of the group’s probationary period, it must petition to the Office of the Dean of Students to be placed in good standing with the university. Probations are not subject to an appeal.

Purdue regulations define hazing as any activity that interferes with scholastic activities, creates a substantial risk or physical harm or degrades any person. Punishments can range from a verbal or written warning to withdrawal of the organization’s recognition.