Chi Psi fraternity placed on disciplinary deferred dissolution, probation

Chi Psi fraternity has been placed on disciplinary deferred dissolution through Dec. 31, 2017, effective immediately, and disciplinary probation effective Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2018, as a result of sanctions brought against the chapter by the University Committee on Discipline, according to the Lehigh Greeks blog.

Charges were brought against the chapter after an off-campus, alcohol-related incident involving a minor occurred. The original statement came from a conduct office Sept. 27 and was signed by the minor, but was different in an Oct. 25 meeting, according to the blog.

As a result, the committee determined the Sept. 27 statement to be of more validity stating, “It is more likely than not that a student drank at least one alcoholic beverage while at the off campus party hosted by Chi Psi indicating the organization illegally distributed alcohol which was consumed by a minor.

“The panel is concerned that upon receiving notification that he would have to testify against Chi Psi and his teammates and/or Chi Psi finding out about the charges that the student’s story changed,” the committee wrote. “The student acknowledged that others helped him ‘piece’ together his story.”

The blog said the committee found the chapter responsible for violations of university policy including: respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession) and Respect for Community J1 (Encouraging Others).

As a result of the violations the chapter will be on disciplinary deferred dissolution through Dec. 31, 2017, meaning that any further violations of conduct during this time will result in immediate dissolution of the chapter without review, according to the blog.

Beginning the day after that sanction expires, the chapter will be placed on disciplinary probation through Dec. 31, 2018, which implies any further violation of the university’s code of conduct during this time may result in dissolution, termination or other authorized sanctions, according to the blog.

Also effective immediately, the organization has lost its right to register and host social events with alcohol through May 31, 2017.

In addition to sanctions placed on the chapter, the organization is also required to make improvements to its 2017 new member education recruitment plan which “must include measures that the chapter will use to ensure that its members follow the plan and university policy to help mitigate future violations of the code of conduct”, according to the blog.

New members of Chi Psi will also be required to participate in Alcohol Skills Training Program by assistant dean and director of fraternity and sorority affairs, Ashley Baudouin, or her designee. The training must be completed by March 31, 2017.

According to the blog, the committee chose not to dissolve the chapter, stating “we do believe that one student has the potential to lead the organization in the right direction and begin a culture shift that will help Chi Psi to be a value adding organization to the community. We believe it is important for all members of Chi Psi to hold each other accountable and to be able to clearly articulate the meaning and responsibility that come with membership in Chi Psi separate from their responsibilities as football players.”

Chi Psi fraternity does have the opportunity to appeal the decision of the committee.