Phi Sig rejected 3 yr. probation deal

The members and local alumni of the University chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity rejected the University's proposed settlement despite the national organization's willingness to accept it, a Phi Sig national officer said yesterday. Tom Recker, national executive vice president of Phi Sig, said the rejected settlement of hazing and alcohol misuse charges called for placing the fraternity on probation for at least three years and instituting an approved live-in advisor in Phi Sig's Locust Walk house. Other provisions of the settlement included placing the house on "social probation" for at least one year, reviewing the fraternity's "new member" education program and constitutional by-laws, the chapter's submitting a detailed rush program, and possibly creating a chapter judicial board, Recker said. In addition, Recker said the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board would review Phi Sig's progress in the spring of 1992 and 1993 and the house would have to begin an on-going community service project. According to University fraternity and sorority recognition policy, probation is the third harshest penalty given to a chapter, after suspension and revocation of its charter. The University offered a settlement to Phi Sig at the end of last week for charges brought against the house stemming from a January 18 incident in which an intoxicated rush entered the Locust Walk house, drank more alcohol in a drinking game, had shaving cream sprayed on his head and was drawn on with magic marker, according to Recker's account of the Judicial Inquiry Officer's list of charges against the fraternity. He said the University chapter of Phi Sig rejected the settlement terms because they want an opportunity to have their case reviewed in a hearing. "The undergraduate chapter wanted to take it to a hearing," Recker said. "[They] didn't want to look like they were pleading guilty." Recker added the national organization wants the action it has taken against the University chapter to have a chance to go into effect. Last month, the national organization removed five brothers from the University chapter as part of a reorganization process. The placing of a live-in advisor into a fraternity or sorority is encouraged by many national organizations, Recker said. But he added that it has not been a common practice since the 1960s due in part to the high cost of funding one. Phi Sig president Bill Jaffe refused to comment last night on the settlement and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs director Tricia Phaup was unavailable for comment. Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson said she does not usually get involved in settlement discussions. Morrisson would not comment on the settlement since she gives the final decision on the status of the chapter after the recommendation of the FSAB. There is no guarantee that the FSAB will pass a lighter punishment than the one offered in the settlement. The board has often handed down different sentences than those recommended to it. Last year, for example, the JIO recommended a five-year suspension of Psi Upsilon fraternity for the kidnapping of Delta Psi brother. The FSAB decided instead to revoke Psi U's charter indefinitely. The most recent reported instance of a fraternity being placed on probation was last year when Pi Kappa Alpha was given the status for a number of violations of University policy, including a pledge prank involving an ill horse. Other incidents of fraternities being placed on probation include in 1988 when Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Delta Theta were placed on probation for one year for having strippers at a rush event. Staff writer Emily Culbertson contributed to this article. (CUT LINE) Please see PHI SIG, page 14 PHI SIG, from page 1 !!!!!!!!!!FOR MIT STORY!!!!!!!!!!! The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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