Theta Xi - Loss of Recognition

Update 4/12: The Sanctions Conference Committee met on April 11, 2019 to determine sanctions.

The sanctions are as follows:
The organization is placed on Disciplinary Deferred Dissolution from April 11, 2019 through May 31, 2020. During this period of time, the organization is on notice that any further violations of the Code of Conduct will result in the dissolution of the organization 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 June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2022.
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 following educational sanction is being imposed: Theta Xi’s on-campus chapter house will be dry (alcohol-free) through May 31, 2021; Theta Xi cannot host or attend social events with alcohol off-campus through May 31, 2020.

The following educational sanction is being imposed: All social events must be reported to Holly Taylor (hat214@lehigh.edu), Associate Director of Student Conduct & Community Expectations by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event. This notification must include day/time/location of the event as well as all students with risk management duties. This reporting process goes through December 31, 2019. For further information please contact Christopher J. Mulvihill.

The following educational sanction is being imposed: Theta Xi must elect new officers for the positions of President, Vice-President and New Member Educator by April 19, 2019. It is to be completed by April 19, 2019. For further information please contact Christopher J. Mulvihill.

The following educational sanction is being imposed: Prior to the acceptance of any new members, the new Theta Xi leadership must work with its national office and the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs to develop a New Member Education Plan that meets both offices’ requirements. It is to be completed by September 1, 2019. For further information please contact Christopher J. Mulvihill.

The Committee gave the following rationale for sanctions:

Theta Xi was found responsible by the University Committee on Discipline (UCoD) on all of the original charges in the March 29 hearing. The UCoD Appeals Committee concurred with the appeal submitted by Theta Xi that the imposed sanction of immediate dissolution of the chapter was unduly harsh. The basis of this determination derived from a factual inaccuracy in the stated rationale for the sanction of dissolution with regard to the exact dates of the timing under which Theta Xi has been on disciplinary probation over the past three years.

The Sanctions Conference Committee (‘The Committee’) concludes that a reduction in sanctions is
warranted given a review of the chapter’s disciplinary probation record. At the same time we wish to
emphasize strongly that -- viewed from any reasonable lens -- Theta Xi’s disciplinary history over the
past several years falls significantly short of what is a minimum expectation of appropriate social
behavior for fraternities in the Lehigh community. Further, the Committee also considers the conflicting and not credible information provided by the chapter during the investigation and March 29th 2019 hearing to be indications that the chapter needs to substantially progress in many areas. These new sanctions reflect the seriousness of these charges and gives the chapter the opportunity to focus on improving and making positive contributions to the Lehigh community.

The Committee notes that both Lehigh Theta Xi Alumni and the Theta Xi National organization chose to participate in the appeal process by providing written support to the chapter’s appeal of the initial sanction. We view this as a positive development. The chapter’s disciplinary record over the past several years is clearly problematic and worrisome. As indicated in the educational sanctions listed above, the Committee believes that new leadership is necessary for the chapter to move successfully through the primary sanctions over the next three years. We also believe that the diligent, proactive and -- most importantly -- continuing involvement going forward on the part of the chapter alumni and national fraternity in providing advice and guidance to the chapter membership during this process is imperative to achieving a successful result whereby a well functioning chapter emerges that is capable of making a positive contribution to the Lehigh community three years hence.

The chapter has had three code of conduct incidents in the last five months (not counting the present
charges): 10/20/2018, 11/09/2018, and 12/01/2018. The chapter was placed on deferred dissolution
effective March 8, 2019, only nine days before the present incident. This is an extremely serious status whereby further violations are likely to result in dissolution. It is impossible not to wonder how the written support provided by the Lehigh Theta Xi alumni and National Organization could conceivably be consistent with the chapter’s recent disciplinary record and deferred dissolution status.

The Committee also offers a strong recommendation that prior to the end of this semester representatives of the Lehigh Theta Xi alumni and the Theta Xi National meet together with the current chapter membership to formulate a plan of action that will enable the chapter to move successfully through the primary sanctions in place over the next three years. We recommend that the outcome of this meeting be communicated in writing to Dean Mulvihill and become part of the official record of this proceeding. Note that the Committee includes this recommendation as part of the supporting rationale rather than as an educational sanction because we believe that such an action is not a sanction in any sense but rather a ‘best practice’ that the Lehigh Theta Xi alumni and Theta Xi National should initiate of their own accord even if this were not a recommendation by the Committee.

It is the Committee’s sincere wish that the outcome of this proceeding is a Theta Xi chapter that is
viewed across campus in the mid- 2020s as an exemplary member of the Lehigh community. The
responsibility for making this happen rests completely with the current chapter membership, future
members, Lehigh Theta Xi alumni and the Theta Xi national office.

This case is now closed.

Initial Post: The University Committee on Discipline met on March 29, 2019 to adjudicate a case in which your chapter was charged with:

Respect for Others D1 (Hazing)
Hazing as defined in the Lehigh University Code of Conduct.
Respect for Others E1 (Interference)

Intentionally or recklessly interfering with the activities sponsored by, affiliated with or participated in by members of the university community, including but not limited to studying, teaching, research,
administration, fire prevention, police activities, emergency services, and the activities of student
organizations.

Respect for Community A1 (False Information)
Intentionally furnishing false information to a university official, hearing panel, or conduct officer.

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.

INCIDENT SUMMARY:
Theta Xi allegedly engaged in activities that constitute hazing.

After reviewing the information related to incident, the Committee made the following finding(s)
regarding the violation(s) for which you were charged:

1. Respect for Others D1 (Hazing) -- Responsible
2. Respect for Others E1 (Interference) -- Responsible
3. Respect for Community A1 (False Information) -- Responsible
4. Respect for Community I1 (Posted Rules and Regulations) -- Responsible

As a result of this behavior the following sanction(s) will be imposed:
Theta Xi Fraternity is hereby dissolved effective March 29, 2019 through May 30, 2021. Dissolution is the loss of university recognition for a period of time not to exceed 5 years. Dissolution is the loss of privilege to use the university's name or represent it in any capacity. In addition, the group or organization will lose all privileges to use university equipment or facilities. At the end of the dissolution period, the organization shall contact the Dean of Students Office and be required to follow any recognition processes in place at the time.

Rationale for Findings:
The panel finds the Theta Xi fraternity responsible for Charges D1 (Hazing) and I1 (Posted Rules and
Regulations). The panel finds that, since the schedule for activities in the New member education plan was not followed, new members were caused unexpected mental stress by the changing of the initiation date to the week following the date posted on the new member education plan. Additionally, it is likely that mental stress was exacerbated due to the new members unawareness to why the initiation date was pushed back.

The panel finds the Theta Xi fraternity responsible for charges E1 (Interference) and A1 (False
Information). The panel is disturbed that many of the statements made to Holly Taylor were interpreted differently by both the members being interviewed and the chapter president. For example, in reference to the pledge duties, a member described the rationale for their use as "bonding", while the chapter president hardly interprets their use as a "bonding" experience. Based on these differing interpretations, the panel believes that Theta Xi fraternity has interfered with both the new member education plan and the investigative report by Holly Taylor.

Rationale for Sanctions:
Theta Xi is dissolved through May 30, 2021. This sanction is appropriate based on the fact that the
chapter has been on disciplinary probation since at least 2017 and is currently on differed dissolution. In short, the chapter has a significant conduct history. Additionally, the panel did not find the information provided by the chapter at the hearing as credible and we do not believe the chapter has the ability to improve in the future under current leadership.

Plan for Greek Excellence

Lehigh Introduces Plan for Greek Excellence

Lehigh University recently announced a 10-point plan to support excellence in the university’s Greek life experience. It was introduced to presidents of all of Lehigh’s 25 fraternity and sorority chapters in an early March meeting by Ricardo Hall, vice provost for Student Affairs, who said his focus was on outlining specifics for a path forward for Greek life. Hall said the framework is designed to positively impact the university, with a specific emphasis on building upon both the legacy and the potential of the Greek life community.

“We want to cultivate a Greek life experience that is a healthy balance between academics, service and social activity,” he said. “For some time, the focus has been primarily on socialization, and that’s not sustainable in the long term. We want Greek life to be a part of the Lehigh experience for generations of students to come, and we see this plan as our best chance for a revitalized, engaging and productive Greek experience.”

Lehigh trustee Jack Vresics, who also chairs the Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, said that the trustees “fully support the Greek organizations, alumni, faculty and administration efforts to make Greek life at Lehigh distinctive, as part of our efforts to make the overall Lehigh student experience exceptional.”

The plan, outlined below, bans hard alcohol in all residence halls (including Greek houses) and calls for all chapters to have a full complement of alumni, faculty and staff advisors, beginning with the Fall 2019 semester. Greek houses will also have live-in graduate assistants in each house, beginning in Fall 2021. The assistants will be trained in crisis response to better position the chapters to respond to emergency circumstances.

New to Lehigh will be a New Member Education Institute, as well as a LU Center for Greek Life Excellence and Innovation, which will focus on the positive ideals upon which fraternities and sororities were founded. The Center will seek to identify optimal ways and means to incorporate research findings into the Greek life experience. The plan also calls for Lehigh to host a student-run annual national summit on excellence and innovation in Greek life, with the initial summit targeted for Spring 2020.

“These developments present a real opportunity for Lehigh to be a national leader in this arena,” Hall said. “Students will lead a conference that brings together colleges and universities from across the country to discover and examine ways to make Greek life better. Ideally, it would present an opportunity for our students to showcase Greek life at Lehigh.”

The components of the plan will be rolled out over the course of the next two years, with the most immediate changes being implemented this coming academic year (2019-20). Hall said the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs will initiate and otherwise coordinate much of the plan, but stressed that its successful implementation will depend on partnerships, support, and sustained effort from students, faculty, and staff.

“We are all part of the same community,” Hall said. “We can also be a part of this effort to help shape a Greek life experience that contributes in many positive ways by embodying the highest ideals that are enshrined in their own charters. We have gotten away from that, and it’s time we return.”

The plan components include the following:

1. Faculty and Staff Advisors for all fraternity and sorority chapters

All chapters currently have graduate/alumni advisors, and several have faculty and/or staff advisors.  Advisors who are currently in place will remain, and each chapter will ultimately have a full complement of alumni, faculty, and staff advisors.

Begin date: Fall 2019

2. Live-in Graduate Assistants assigned to all fraternity and sorority houses

Each on campus fraternity and sorority house will have a live-in Graduate Assistant (GA).  GAs will be oriented/trained in a manner consistent with other Residence Life staff members, to include crisis response.  Each chapter will participate in the interview/selection process for prospective Graduate Assistants.

Begin date (pending readiness of space):  Fall 2020
Full staffing: Fall 2021

3. House Manager positions will be staffed by students with class rank of Junior or Senior House Managers will participate, along with GAs, in Residence Life-led training/orientation.

Begin date: Fall 2020

4. Chapter Presidents will reside in their respective on-campus houses

Mindful of fraternity/sorority bylaws which specifically make new members eligible to hold positions up to and including president, chapters will be encouraged to strongly consider members of Junior or Senior standing to serve as president.

Begin date: Fall 2020

5. Recruitment Chairs and New Member Educators will reside in their respective on-campus houses

Similarly, Recruitment Chairs and New Members Educators will reside on campus.

Begin date: Fall 2020

6. Liquor, spirits, and other “hard alcohol” will not be permitted in Lehigh’s on-campus housing

Consistent with the North American Interfraternity Conference’s recently adopted standard prohibiting hard alcohol from fraternity chapter facilities and events, all Lehigh on-campus residences (to include houses, traditional residence halls, and apartments) will be free of hard alcohol.

Begin date: August 1, 2019

7. Establishment of an All-Greek Council

A twice-semesterly gathering of representatives from each of Lehigh’s fraternity and sorority chapters will provide an opportunity to network, share successes, and identify opportunities to create and promote positive Greek life events, programs, and initiatives.

Begin date: Fall 2019

8. OFSA Recruitment Chair and New Member Education Institute

The Institute will provide insight, guidance, and advice on effective fraternity and sorority recruitment.  Chapters will have an opportunity to facilitate workshops and share their own effective and innovative new member recruitment programs.  National and regional representatives from Lehigh recognized chapters and councils will also be invited to present.

Initial Institute: Fall 2019

9. LU Summit on Greek Life Excellence and Innovation

Colleges and universities (Patriot League, PA campuses, MSCHE campuses, nationwide, etc.) will be invited to this student-run Summit. Lehigh will have an opportunity to become a leader in both thought and action with regard to envisioning, articulating, and demonstrating excellence and innovation in Greek life. 

Initial Summit: Spring 2020

10. LU Center for Greek Life Excellence and Innovation

The Center will focus on the positive ideals upon which fraternities and sororities were founded and seek to identify optimal ways and means to incorporate research findings into actual on-campus Greek life offerings.  The Center will be housed in the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs and will partner with interested faculty, staff, and students on research and the creation of knowledge, as on the application and assessment of existing research that are/have been/will be incorporated into Greek life operations at Lehigh and on other campuses.

Creation of Center: 2019-2020 academic year; pending full staffing of OFSA and coordination with partnering offices and academic departments