Four Greek chapters violate alcohol policy

Four of the six Greek chapters investigated by the Office of Student Conduct were found collectively responsible of violating the University's Alcohol and Drug Policy and the Code of Student Conduct.

The chapters -- fraternities Tau Epsilon Phi and Zeta Beta Tau and sororities Delta Delta Delta and Sigma Delta Tau -- also violated "their standing agreement of responsibility as well as... the recognition policy," according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski.

The standing agreement of responsibility and the recognition policy -- which is officially called "Recognition and Governance of Undergraduate Social Fraternities and Sororities" -- are agreements that Greek organizations sign before being allowed to become members of Penn's Greek system.

However, Reikofski added that sanctions for the four organizations have not yet been decided.

Amidst SDT's second violation in two years, the sorority's president, Gabrielle Arnay, resigned, handing over her position to College sophomore Dianna Cohen.

"It was a personal decision with a lot of factors involved," Arnay said. "Dianna is going to do an excellent job as the new president. She's leading the house in the right direction."

The OSC investigations began before spring break, when six fraternities and sororities, or individuals affiliated with them, allegedly violated a variety of University policies. Only the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the Alpha Chi Omega sorority were found not collectively responsible for any violations.

As for when decisions regarding the chapters will be made, Reikofski suggested that OFSA will take its time. "With the timing with the end of the semester, it is doubtful that anything will be finalized until sometime early summer and will be addressed and enacted with the chapters at the outset of the fall 2003 semester."

Reikofski is dealing with the four responsible chapters' national headquarters and members of the chapters directly.

Regarding Tri Delt and TEP, Reikofski noted, "OFSA officials are in active negotiations with the national headquarters to plan out their probationary agreements." As for ZBT, "their national has visited campus to work on their own investigation and take some action, and negotiations and plans continue also between ZBT headquarters and the University."

The situation regarding SDT is more complicated, as this violation is its second in two years. According to Reikofski, "Sigma Delta Tau national headquarters is taking some action of their own in addition to working with OFSA officials to plan the next best course of action to address the violations."

"SDT hopes and plans on remaining an active member of the University of Pennsylvania's Greek community for a long time to come," Arnay said.

Arnay added that representatives from the SDT national office -- who did not return phone calls -- were on Penn's campus last Saturday interviewing sisters.

Referring to Arnay's resignation, Panhellenic Council President Elizabeth Kimmelman said that Arnay "made the best decision for herself and for the house, and I look forward to working with the new leadership in SDT."

"They will face a lot of challenges, but it is definitely possible for them to get through this," Kimmelman added.

Tri Delt's Executive Office spokeswoman Jessica Chapman issued an e-mail statement regarding the chapter at Penn, noting that her office is working closely with OFSA "to decide upon what, if any, sanctions will be placed on the chapter. At this time, no decisions have been made."

Representatives from the TEP and ZBT headquarters did not return phone calls.

The presidents of Penn's Tri Delt, TEP and ZBT chapters would not comment.

InterFraternity Council President Seth Cohen is looking past the current difficulties facing the Greek system.

"Seeing that so many houses were in trouble this semester, I think a lot of houses will be second-guessing doing things that might put them in danger," Cohen said. "The focus of next semester is going to be on creating a better social environment on campus and decreasing the amount of socializing off campus."

Kimmelman is also looking ahead to next semester. "It's really easy to focus on the negative things that happened this semester, but we also had a lot of really good accomplishments," she said, citing the success of Greek Weekend and also the cooperation between Panhel, IFC and the BiCultural InterGreek Council.

"It's very important that we concentrate on what we did well, and it's very important for the houses -- even those who are facing disciplinary actions -- to do so."

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