Lehigh’s chapters of Kappa Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternities were both placed on a five-day suspension from recruitment and will each be assessed a $500 fine payable to the Interfraternity Council, according to the Lehigh Greeks blog. These sanctions are a result of allegations of recruitment-related violations and the hospitalization of two first-year students following a Sig Ep and KA recruitment party that occurred on Feb 2.
The interim suspension began for KA on Friday at 2 p.m. and Sig Ep on Friday at 5 p.m. lasting through 2 p.m. on Wednesday. It mandates that members cannot engage in any sort of recruitment activity on behalf of KA and Sig Ep, respectively, on or off campus. Failure to comply with the terms of this suspension, and/or any effort to retaliate against involved persons, will result in additional charges.
The alleged university policy violations for both fraternities included “endangering the health and safety of students, providing alcohol to minors, failure to adhere to medical amnesty, property damage, and theft,” the blog stated.
On Tuesday evening, both fraternities are required to host an informational meeting for their potential new members to inform them about the situation and to emphasize the importance of caring for the health and safety of individuals associated with the organizations. The meeting, which will not be considered a violation of the chapters’ suspension, will be monitored by IFC executive board members. In addition, KA and Sig Ep will be required to provide alcohol education to their spring 2016 semester new member classes. The IFC recommended that the new members also be required to get TIPS certified.
KA and Sig Ep’s executive boards will also have to meet with IFC leadership to discuss how they plan to move forward and what they will do to learn and grow from these mistakes.
“The events of Feb. 2 are regrettable,” both blog posts read. “However, we believe we are taking positive steps to penalize unacceptable behavior in our community and to foster growth and learning for the chapters involved.”
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