After being recommended a suspension throughout the Fall 2017 semester, the Director of Student Conduct has decided to alter the punitive and educational sanctions to maximize opportunities for change and learning for the Eta Pi Chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity.
“The expectation for Sigma Chi fraternity is to spend time focusing all efforts towards creating a culture of change with every individual member of the chapter and the collective organization as a whole,” said the Director of Student Conduct in the final sanction letter.
The final sanctions are listed below.
Restrictive Organizational Probation
The Eta Pi chapter is to be placed on restrictive organizational probation from the University effective for the Fall 2015, Spring 2016, and Summer 2016 academic terms. While on restrictive probation, Sigma Chi cannot participate in the recruitment or solicitation for membership of new members.
Organizational Probation
The Eta Pi Chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity is to be placed on organizational probation for the Fall 2016, Spring 2017, and Summer 2017 academic terms. While on organizational probation, Sigma Chi may continue to participate in university related and fraternity sponsored activities.
Outreach to all Greek Letter Organizations
Active members of the Sigma Chi fraternity and new members to come are to develop an outreach program that will be presented and overseen by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. During these presentations, members will present and review the February 18, 2015 incident as a case study and invite other organizations to discuss what could have been done to prevent the incident. In addition the fraternity will must include information on lessons learned and how they could have addressed and reported the incident more effectively. Members of OFSL and student conduct will be present during each of the 48 presentations to provide support and help answer questions regarding university policy.
3-5 Year Strategic Plan
Sigma Chi and local advisors must work with OFSL and student conduct as well as Sigma Chi national headquarters to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure successful leadership plans within the chapter. The plan should also include new values-based directives for organizational leadership development, retention, recruitment, risk management, and safety planning. The plan must also include comprehensive curriculum development on alcohol education and hazing. A final plan should be in place no later than May 16, 2016.
One on One Organizational Case Review
All active members of Sigma Ch fraternity are to schedule a one on one meeting with an OFSL to review the February 18, 2015 case. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that all active members of Sigma Chi have a complete understanding of the key facts of the case and expectations as members of the Fraternity and Sorority Community moving forward.
Work with the Golden Rule Committee
The Eta Pi chapter will form a committee of members that work with the Golden Rule Committee to evaluate and review university policies and practices as they pertain to the case. The committee is encouraged to work with other organizations to develop, propose, and to initiate any changes they feel necessary to the above mentioned policies.
Successful Completion of It’s Everyone’s Responsibility Module
The Eta Pi Chapter of Sigma Chi is expected to have all current members as of October 22, 2015 successfully complete “It’s Everyone’s Responsibility Module.” All certificates of completion are due to OFSL by May 12, 2016.
When asked about the final sanctions, Jad Shalhoub, the chapter president said, “The decisions made today are the result of taking a leap of faith and being transparent with the university, paired with our ability to self govern and take action when the time came. We will be working with the school to review specific policies within the golden rule in order to ensure a safer student community.”
