JIO investigating TEP for U. policy violations

The Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity is under investigation by the Judicial Inquiry Officer for violations of University policies, JIO Constance Goodman said yesterday. Details of the investigation and of the alleged violation were not immediately available, and both the JIO and TEP's President Jordan Fishman declined to comment on the case. "I became aware of an alleged problem," Goodman said. "I will be investigating it." Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Tricia Phaup confirmed that TEP is under investigation, but she also refused to comment. TEP's national organization could not be reached for comment yesterday. TEP is the second known fraternity investigated by the JIO this semester. Phi Sigma Kappa was investigated by the JIO earlier this year for an alleged hazing violation. Goodman is still deciding whether to press any charges or not. Phi Sig was also investigated by their national organization for the alleged hazing incident, who found the evidence they collected to be inconclusive. The national organization decided to reorganize the chapter, however, and five brothers were removed from the Locust Walk house last week. TEP initiated its fourteenth pledge class since its refounding in 1977, two weeks ago. Since the beginning of last year, the JIO has investigated at least two other campus fraternities for violations of University policy. Psi Upsilon fraternity was probed by the JIO and subsequently suspended for the alleged January 1990 kidnapping of a Delta Psi brother. Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity was also investigated by the JIO last year for a pledge prank which involved a kidnapped horse. The fraternity's national organization responded by removing a number of brothers by placing them on early alumni status. Zeta Beta Tau and Alpha Chi Rho fraternities are still under probation for bringing strippers to rush events in the fall of 1988.

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