Frat cleared on alcohol charge

The Office of Student Conduct has cleared the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity of all charges that it violated fraternity rush regulations.

The OSC had been conducting an investigation of the fraternity for an alcohol-related rush infraction but found no evidence of wrongdoing.

"It was found that there was not any violation," Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said.

InterFraternity Council President Conor Daly said that OSC's decision simply reaffirmed what he and members of Alpha Chi Rho already knew -- that no alcohol infraction occurred during the fraternity's two-week formal recruitment period, which began Jan. 7.

"It proved what we said before -- that there was no evidence to support an investigation, let alone a violation," the College junior said. "We are very happy with what OSC found, or what they did not find."

But Daly said that when the investigation began in February, the situation did not appear so cut and dry.

"There appeared to be evidence that there was alcohol involved, but as that turned out, that was unfounded," Daly said. "There was nothing wrong."

Alpha Chi Rho President Jason Belinkie also said that any charges of an infraction were untrue.

"It never should have been an issue," Belinkie said. "It never should have been a violation. It fell at the wrong time and was labeled the wrong thing."

In fact, Belinkie said the investigation came as a shock to him.

"It was a big surprise to me when I found out we were being investigated," Belinkie said.

However, Daly said that he still understood the need for OSC's investigation.

"When there is a concern that there may be alcohol involved with a frat, we always jump to action and conduct an investigation," Daly said. "It is the standard that the school has for us, and it is the standard to which we hold ourselves."

In maintaining such standards, Reikofski said he felt that OSC did a good job with their investigation.

"It was a typical investigation for OSC... [they] contact some chapter officers who were involved and just interview them and try to get as clear a picture as possible of what happened" Reikofski said. "I am happy that OSC did what I feel is a thorough investigation."

In fact, Reikofski said he was particularly pleased that the OSC investigation turned up no violation on the part of Alpha Chi Rho because he hates being the bad guy.

"It is my job, but I do not particularly like being a disciplinarian or putting chapters on probation," Reikofski said. "I am happy that it appears that there were no violations."

Alpha Chi Rho members, Belinkie said, were equally thrilled.

"I was greatly relieved when I talked to Scott, and he informed me that we were not going to get any violation, which is what should have happened because we did not do anything wrong," Belinkie said. "I am very relieved it does not have to be on the mind of my newly initiated brothers. It was a big distraction to our fraternity, and it should not have been a distraction."

In light of the fact that OSC found no wrongdoing, Daly said the investigation's results prove an investigation doesn't necessarily mean a group is guilty of anything.

"It is unfortunate that whenever there is an investigation, people jump to conclusions that the frat is guilty," Daly said. "This proves that just because there is an investigation, it does not mean that a house is absolutely guilty all of the time."

And Belinkie said that he and his brothers are looking forward to putting the investigation behind them.

"Basically, I am just happy that it is over," Belinkie said. "It has been a long process and a long investigation, and I hope we never have to deal with anything like this again."

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