Update: On April 25, 2018, the Disciplinary Appeals Committee met to hear the appeal you submitted. You appealed on the grounds (2) the university disciplinary procedures were violated in a
way that probably adversely affected the outcome of the case, and (3) the sanction was unduly harsh.
The Disciplinary Appeals Committee denied your appeal with the following rationales:
Ground (2) rationale: The committee acknowledges that there was minor procedural violation by
including an additional member on the panel. However, given the history of misconduct by this fraternity, the nature of the infraction, and the fact that the original sanctioning decision was unanimous, the committee determined that this violation was extremely unlikely to adversely affect the outcome of the case.
Ground (3) rationale: The committee determined that the sanction of dissolution is significant but not
unduly harsh. Based on the conduct history of the chapter as well as the fact that the Founder's Day event occurred while the chapter was in the middle of a hazing investigation, the sanction of dissolution is appropriate.
This decision by the Disciplinary Appeals Committee is final and the disciplinary process is completed for this incident. All sanctions imposed go into effect immediately.
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity was involved in an incident on March 3, 2018, where the chapter violated multiple policies regarding alcohol. Separately, the fraternity was placed on Disciplinary Deferred Dissolution beginning on March 22, 2018 through March 22, 2019 after being found responsible for hazing, falsifying information, and unauthorized consumption, distribution or possession of alcohol. This disciplinary status placed the organization on notice, meaning any further violations of the Code of Conduct would result in the dissolution of the organization.
Original Post:
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity accepted responsibility for all charges brought against the chapter. The University Committee on Discipline (UCOD) convened on April 17, 2018 for a sanctions-only hearing to resolve the charges listed below:
Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession) The unauthorized or illegal consumption, distribution, or possession of alcohol.
Respect for Community E1 (Failure to Comply) Failure to comply with the reasonable requests of university officials (including law enforcement) while acting in the performance of their duties.
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 Community I1B (Social policy - 1.D.11.a - 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 Community J1 (Encouraging Others) Encouraging or facilitating others in actions that violate the Code of Conduct.
After reviewing the information related to incident, the Committee made the following finding(s) regarding the violation(s) for which you were charged and agreed with the chapters pleas of responsibility.
Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession) -- Responsible
Respect for Community E1 (Failure to Comply) -- Responsible
Respect for Community I1 (Posted Rules and Regulations) -- Responsible
Respect for Community I1B (Social policy - 1.D.11.a - Irresponsible Distribution of Alcohol) -- Responsible
Respect for Community J1 (Encouraging Others) -- Responsible
After careful deliberation, the Committee dissolved the fraternity effective April 17, 2018 through August 1, 2020. Dissolution is the loss of University recognition and the privilege to use the University’s name or represent it in any capacity. In addition, the chapter will lose all privileges to use University equipment or facilities, and this includes access to group housing.
The chapter retains the right to appeal the decision, and the Office of Student Conduct & Community has informed the fraternity leadership of the deadlines and process for appeals as outlined in the Lehigh University Code of Conduct. If an appeal is submitted by the Friday, April 20, 2018 deadline, the Disciplinary Appeals Committee will meet to make a determination shortly thereafter. If the appeal is denied, the conduct hearing outcome will be upheld. If the appeal is granted, a new conduct hearing would occur.
The Committee gave the following rationale for the decision and sanctions:
We recognize that losing a chapter certainly has an impact across our fraternity and sorority community and that this year has been particularly difficult. No organization nor its membership are invincible and immune to consequences, and our team cautions students to use sound judgement when making decisions that impact their organization, its membership, and continued legacy on campus. Fraternity and sorority life has a long-standing history at Lehigh University, and we’re committed to supporting fraternity and sorority members so that they may live by their respective founding principles that foster leadership, service, scholarship, integrity, and friendship. Our staff will continue to work with fraternity and sorority members to provide support alongside educational, cultural, and leadership development programs which meet their needs beyond the classroom.
In the hearings the chapter has had this academic year, the panel has offered appreciation for the chapters pleas of responsibility. Once again we do appreciate that the chapter accepts responsibility for the violations it was charged with. Unfortunately at this point it's too late. Just in this past academic year, Pi Kappa Alpha has been involved in every single educational sanction that Lehigh University offers through the conduct process. The conduct process is supposed to be educational, however we have no more methods to educate this chapter. Even though the chapter was not dry or on deferred dissolution during the Founders Day event, the chapter was in the middle of a hazing investigation. It is so disappointing that even through all of the conduct processes and investigations and hearings, the chapter was still unable to follow University policies during this event. The panel does believe that Pi Kappa Alpha has the national support to come back to Lehigh as a successful chapter after the period of dissolution and when the Office of Fraternity of Sorority Affairs is in an expansion process. The sanction of dissolution through August 1, 2020 begins immediately.
Should the chapter submit an appeal and the appeal be denied, the fraternity will lose access to group housing upon conclusion of the University’s disciplinary process. Pi Kappa Alpha undergraduates living in the facility will not be relocated immediately so as to not disrupt students’ living arrangements towards the end of the semester. The space would be transitioned into a traditional residence facility, and Lehigh staff and LUPD would conduct periodic walk-throughs of the facility. Residential Services staff are prepared to assist students regarding alternative housing options for the 2018-2019 academic year, and additional information regarding on campus housing opportunities and instructions will be shared by Residential Services early next week. Housing-specific questions should be directed to Residential Services at inrsd@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-3500. Additionally, no decisions have been made regarding the facility and its future purpose for the upcoming year and thereafter.
Should the chapter submit an appeal and the appeal be denied, the fraternity will lose access to group housing upon conclusion of the University’s disciplinary process. Pi Kappa Alpha undergraduates living in the facility will not be relocated immediately so as to not disrupt students’ living arrangements towards the end of the semester. The space would be transitioned into a traditional residence facility, and Lehigh staff and LUPD would conduct periodic walk-throughs of the facility. Residential Services staff are prepared to assist students regarding alternative housing options for the 2018-2019 academic year, and additional information regarding on campus housing opportunities and instructions will be shared by Residential Services early next week. Housing-specific questions should be directed to Residential Services at inrsd@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-3500. Additionally, no decisions have been made regarding the facility and its future purpose for the upcoming year and thereafter.
We recognize that losing a chapter certainly has an impact across our fraternity and sorority community and that this year has been particularly difficult. No organization nor its membership are invincible and immune to consequences, and our team cautions students to use sound judgement when making decisions that impact their organization, its membership, and continued legacy on campus. Fraternity and sorority life has a long-standing history at Lehigh University, and we’re committed to supporting fraternity and sorority members so that they may live by their respective founding principles that foster leadership, service, scholarship, integrity, and friendship. Our staff will continue to work with fraternity and sorority members to provide support alongside educational, cultural, and leadership development programs which meet their needs beyond the classroom.