Conduct Updates: Theta Chi and ATO

Conduct Updates:

 

Theta Chi:

• On February 21st, all activities of the Theta Chi Fraternity at Lehigh University were temporarily suspended.  This action was taken because of alleged University policy violations by the chapter and its members during the new member education process.  Allegations included: hazing, providing alcohol to minors, and failure to follow the chapter’s approved new member education plan.

          The Office of Student Conduct & Community Expectations investigated the situation and will not currently be bringing Code of Conduct charges. The   
          chapter complied with the interim suspension and has returned to active status. Theta Chi will be working with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to
          ensure that their new member education plan remains congruent with both Lehigh and Theta Chi Headquarters expectations.

 

Alpha Tau Omega:

• On February 14th, all activities of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at Lehigh University were temporarily suspended.  This action was taken because of alleged University policy violations by the chapter and its members during the new member education process.  Allegations included: hazing, providing alcohol to minors, and failure to follow the chapter’s approved new member education plan.
   
  The Office of Student Conduct & Community Expectations investigated the situation and will not currently be bringing Code of Conduct charges . The chapter complied with the interim suspension and has returned to active status. Alpha Tau Omega headquarters currently has staff at Lehigh working with both the chapter and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to ensure that their new member education plan is congruent with both Lehigh and Alpha Tau Omega Headquarters expectations.

If you have specific questions, feel free to contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at (610) 758-4157 or contact your Assistant Director directly.



Thank You,
Tim

Update on Theta Xi

Good Afternoon Chapter Presidents,

As discussed at council meetings over the past week, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has been working through various investigations with several chapters over the past few weeks. We are at a point that I can provide you all updates as to the status of these various situations. Due to the length of these e-mails, I will break them down over several e-mails.

Theta Xi:

On January 26, 2013, the Theta Xi Fraternity chapter was involved in an incident in which the
organization's behavior violated the Lehigh University Code of Conduct. In an administrative hearing, the chapter took
responsibility for the following charges:

CHARGES:

• Respect for Community B1 (Causing an Emergency) Intentionally or recklessly causing an emergency or dangerous environment.
• Respect for Community I1 (Posted Rules and Regulations) Violating any Lehigh University policies, rules, or regulations, including but not limited to, residential living policies (General Provisions for Occupancy) and policies related to the use of the university computer network.
  
• Respect for Property A1A (Vandalism) Intentionally or recklessly interfering with the property of another, including taking without permission, destroying, defacing, or damaging the property of another.
• Respect for Community I1B (Irresponsible Distribution of Alcohol) Violating the Lehigh University Social Policy 1.D.11.a (11. Irresponsible distribution of alcohol is prohibited. a. Any occasion where the atmosphere or circumstances are such that the intended or likely outcome is to either abuse alcohol or become intoxicated. Examples of irresponsible distribution of alcohol include but are not limited to kegs, funnels, shot parties, hotel parties, Beirut games, pong ball, scorpion bowls, chugging contests or other organized drinking games.)
  
• Respect for Property E1 (Gross Disregard)The theft, mutilation, destruction, defacing, and/or gross disregard of any Lehigh property.
• Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption) The unauthorized or illegal consumption, distribution, or possession of alcohol.

The following sanctions have been imposed:

• The chapter is placed on disciplinary deferred dissolution effective January 26, 2013 through December 31, 2013. The sanction of disciplinary dissolution may be placed in deferred status for a limited period of time. During this period of time, the organization is on notice that any further violations of the Code of Conduct will result in the dissolution that was originally defined becoming effective immediately without further review. Disciplinary Deferred Dissolution may not be imposed for longer than two regular semesters. If this sanction is imposed during a semester, it may be imposed for the remainder of that semester and two additional semesters.
• Theta Xi Fraternity is placed on disciplinary probation effective January 1, 2014 through
  December 31, 2014. Disciplinary probation is the conditional continuation of a group or
  organization for a specified period of time not to exceed four semesters. This status implies that
  any further violation of this Code of Conduct may result in dissolution, termination, or other
  authorized sanctions. Other sanctions may be imposed, including limitations on social activities,
  and additional requirements may be imposed as conditions for reinstatement of recognition in
  good standing.
• The organization will be alcohol free effective January 26, 2013 through December 31, 2014.
  The chapter cannot host any events in the house with alcohol and individual members, even
  those over 21, are not permitted to have alcohol in their rooms. The chapter can host nonalcoholic
  events during the probationary period.
• The chapter is required to work with OFSA, their alumni and their national office on developing
  a recruitment/new member education plan for the Spring 2013 semester. This plan must be
  approved by OFSA before any recruitment or new member education can begin.
• The chapter is required to follow any plan and/or instructions by the national office on the
  reorganization of the chapter.
• The chapter is required to pay all costs for cleaning, police and staff time, and other costs related
  to this incident. OFSA will prepare a statement listing the costs.
• The chapter is being assessed a fine in the amount of $500.00 for a Major Fire Code Violations..
  It is the responsibility of the Chapter to make sure that payment is made in the form of a check
  made payable to Lehigh University. The fine must be received at the Office of Residential
  Service no later than March 8, 2013.
• The chapter will work with their alumni and OFSA to reintroduce alcohol to the chapter house
  during the Fall 2014 semester on a limited basis.this plan is to be completed and approved by
  May 31, 2014.

As previously discussed, Theta Xi's Headquarters was on campus several weeks ago and conducted a member review/reorganization of the chapter. OFSA is waiting for the results and will update as we have them.

Thank You,
Tim

LUPD Sponsor's RAD - Register Now!

The Lehigh University Police Department is again offering self-defense
instruction through the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program. The RAD
course - which is open to all female students, staff and faculty - is
offered free of charge. The basic physical defense class is 12 hours,
divided up into four days, three hours each day.

The RAD System is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and
techniques for women only. It is a comprehensive course that begins with
awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing to
the basics of hands-on defense training.

Spring RAD classes will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. on the evenings of
March 25th and 27th, and April 8th and 10th. Classes are held in Sayre Park
Village D (The Lodge), and are taught by the LUPD's certified RAD
instructors.

Anyone interested in attending a RAD training session can register at
https://www.lehigh.edu/~inlpd/rad_training.shtml

Questions can be directed to the LUPD at 610-758-4200.

Women's Empowerment Week 2013

The Panhellenic Council Presents

Monday, March 18  

-4:10 PM-Showing of Half the Sky Documentary- Location TBA

The series follows Kristof, WuDunn, and six celebrity activists including Diane Lane, America Ferrera, Olivia Wilde, and Meg Ryan as they travel to nine countries and meet inspiring, courageous individuals. Across the globe oppression is being confronted, and real meaningful solutions are being fashioned through health care, education, and economic empowerment for women and girls.

 

Tuesday, March 19

-ALL SORORITY LETTER DAY! Make sure to wear your letters proudly.

 

-4PM-JANE talks (Lehigh’s take on TED talks)-Packard 101 

There will be faculty and alumni from different disciplines speaking about how women have influenced their careers, how women are able to navigate that field, and advice for women entering that field in the future.  This event is not one to miss!

 

-7PM-Screening of Mothers of Bedford-Perella Auditorium

Many parents find it hard to imagine being away from a child for a week. Imagine being separated for ten or twenty years? Mothers of Bedford explores the effects of a long-term prison sentence on the mother-child relationship. The film examines the struggles and joys these five women face as prisoners and mothers. It shows the normal frustrations of parenting as well as the surreal experiences of a child's first birthday party inside prison, the cell that child lives in with her mother, and the biggest celebration of the year, Mother's Day in prison!

 

Wednesday, March 20

-6PM-Female Graduate Student Innovators- Wilbur Basement- Fab Lab-

Come join our fabulous female forward-thinkers as they discuss the projects that they are working on and teach us how to get hands-on.

 

Thursday, March 21

-12PM-Brown bag discussion on Women’s Identity-Women’s Center

Free food and great discussion in the Women’s Center about what it means to be a woman and how our different identities intersect.

 

-4PM-Discussion Between Panhellenic Sororities and MGC Sororities

 

-5PM-Panel for Graduating Seniors-MG 101

Panelists from Alumni Relations to chat about how to stay involved with Lehigh, opportunities for Lehigh Young Alums, affinity groups, making friends in the workplace, and more.

Friday, March 22

-12PM-Suggested-take your favorite faculty or staff member to lunch and tell them why you love them SO much!!

 

-2PM- FREE Zumba Class (UC 303)

 

All events are open to anyone in the Lehigh Community!