Greek system getting the hammer from PU

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue Pete's hammer seems to be slamming down on the Greek system at Purdue. More than eight fraternities have either been suspended or placed on probation this school year.

Associate Dean of Students Pablo Malavenda said the number of student organizations has increased, which means more violations are likely.

"We are intervening with a lot of organizations sooner, with lesser violations, and hold them accountable for the decisions they make, and there are going to be consequences," he said.

Investigations by the university found that all the fraternities' violations included serving alcohol to minors and some members also participated in hazing activities.

According to the Office of the Dean of Students, suspension means the fraternity still exists as part of the university, but it isn't in good standing and has no privileges during the length of the sanction. Fraternities also can't participate in programs with other recognized student organizations, university sponsored activities or intramural athletics as an organization. Members must also participate in at least two community service projects each semester and in alcohol and hazing education programs.

While fraternities are on probation, they are not able to serve alcohol at any function until a specific date. In addition to completing alcohol education programs, the fraternities must also participate in leadership activities.

According to the Office of the Dean of Students, several investigations led to these violations in fraternities:

• The Delta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho was suspended May 9 for participating in hazing activities and serving alcohol to minors. Its suspension will extend through May 1, 2012 and then it can petition to be reinstated. If reinstated, it will remain on probation through May 1, 2013.
• Sigma Pi fraternity was placed on probation for serving alcohol to minors also on May 9. Its probation will last through December 30, 2011. No alcohol is permitted at the fraternity until October 31, 2011. It was also fined $500.
• Alpha Beta chapter of Delta Lamnbda Phi was suspended in March for making alcohol available to minors. After September 1st, the chapter will be placed on probation for the calendar year before petitioning for a return to full status.
• In February, Gamma Omicron Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity was put on probation through the 2011 fall semester for hazing and alcohol violations. 70 percent of the house members must participate in at least two community service projects each semester.
• Lambda Chi Alpha, Theta Tau, Phi Kappa Psi and Beta Theta Pi were all placed on probationary status in October. Each violation was for serving alcohol to minors. Their lengths of probation vary. Lambda Chi Alpha was fined $500 for hard alcohol violations

Sadtler said all the suspensions and probations show that the university and Interfraternity Council aren't putting up with fraternities breaking the rules.

"What this shows is times are changing," explained Purdue Interfraternity Council President Logan Sadtler. "We are beginning to fix some of the problems that our fraternity and sorority community has developed over the years."

Sadtler said the council is working hand in hand with the university to fix those problems.

"We really have a great working relationship that I have not seen at other universities that we have really try to develop and establish over the past few years," Sadtler said.

Malavenda agreed.

"It's actually a very positive and really well connected relationship," Malavenda said.

Sadtler said the violations, suspensions and probations don't necessarily give fraternities a bad reputation.

"We are like every other organization, we mess up," he said. "It's what we do after we mess up that makes us who we are. The only way to make that stereotype go down is by owning it and doing something about it."

Sadtler said there is an easy way for fraternities to keep the negative stereotype away for good.

"We tell our chapters, 'If you aren't doing it, the stigma isn't there.' That is really the battle we have been fighting," he said.