Alpha Chi Omega Sorority: Loss of Recognition

Update 3/13/18: The Disciplinary Appeals Committee met on March 13, 2018 to make a determination and denied the appeal.  The Committee provided the following rationale:

The panel denies the appeal that the sanction is unduly harsh because the sanction imposed was less than what is outlined in the sanctioning guidelines for hazing that caused actual emotional distress or created a situation in which emotional distress was likely to occur. While the committee appreciated the plan put forward by the chapter to remediate these concerns, considering the severity of the hazing in conjunction with the other charges in this case, the sanction was judged as appropriate.

The decision by the Disciplinary Appeals Committee is final and with it the disciplinary process is completed for this incident.  All sanctions imposed go into effect immediately.

Original Post: On December 8th, 2017, the Theta Chi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority planned and executed a scavenger hunt (Road Rally) that involved the use of drugs and alcohol, sexual activity, and other activities that violate Lehigh University policy.

Lehigh University placed the chapter on interim suspension on December 12, 2017 following reports of the incident, including supporting evidence of the partial scavenger hunt list. Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters also directed the chapter to cease and desist all activities on December 12, 2017. The chapter proceeded to cooperate and turn over additional evidence, including the remainder of the scavenger hunt list and documented examples of members’ completed tasks. Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters visited Lehigh University’s campus to conduct their own investigation process over the course of December 13-14, 2017 resulting in probationary terms for the entire chapter and additional individual consequences.

The University's Title IX Coordinator conducted an investigation and the University Committee on Discipline (UCOD) convened on March 5th, 2018 to resolve the charges listed below:     

Respect for Others D1 (Hazing) Hazing as defined in the Lehigh University Code of Conduct.
Respect for Others (General) Lehigh University expects that all students will act in a civil manner that reflects maturity, social responsibility, and respect towards others and the Lehigh Community.
Respect for Community (General) As members of the Lehigh University Community, students are expected to serve as ethical representatives. They are expected to know and follow the Code of Conduct, and show respect for the faculty, staff, community members and administrative processes that are in place to maintain and support our community standards. Students are expected to hold themselves and others accountable and report violations of the Code of Conduct or other violations to the University.
Respect for Community J1 (Encouraging Others)
Encouraging or facilitating others in actions that violate the Code of Conduct.
Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession) The unauthorized or illegal consumption, distribution, or possession of alcohol.
Respect for Community L1 (Failure to Report / Being in the Presence of a violation) Failure to report and/or knowingly being in the presence of violations of the Lehigh University Code of Conduct or other University Policies.

After reviewing the information related to incident, the Committee came to the following conclusions:

1.Respect for Others D1 (Hazing) -- Responsible
2.Respect for Others (General) -- Responsible
3.Respect for Community (General) -- Responsible
4.Respect for Community J1 (Encouraging Others) -- Responsible
5.Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession) -- Responsible
6.Respect for Community L1 (Failure to Report / Being in the Presence of a violation) -- Responsible

The organization's status is hereby dissolved effective March 5, 2018  through May 31, 2020.  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.

The Committee provided the following rationale for the findings and sanctions:

Hazing charge rationale: AXO created a situation that occurred on and off campus involving morally questionable quests such as a scavenger hunt, treasure hunts, etc. The acts described may not have been required for affiliation into the organization, but are clearly considered a rite of passage and a consistent part of membership in AXO. The willingness of members to participate in these activities does not preclude them from being considered hazing according to the Lehigh code of conduct.

Rationale charges 2-6: The panel found AXO responsible of violations 2-6. AXO pled responsible for all of these charges and the panel agreed that the chapter's actions constituted responsibility for these charges.

Rationale for Sanction: This incident was a significant, reprehensible event that the entire chapter was aware of and leadership endorsed. This event did not only take place this year, but there is credible information that this event has been going on for years. The panel is deeply concerned about the escalated nature of the content of this year’s list and we are unconvinced that this escalation wouldn’t continue. This sanction that is imposed is slightly less than outlined in the sanctioning guidelines for hazing that involves emotional distress in the Code of Conduct. This length of time was chosen to ensure that nearly all members party to, and aware of the event are no longer on campus when they recolonize. Additionally the current conduct history of AXO does not lead the panel to have confidence in the chapter’s ability to act and demonstrate care and concern for its members, particularly related to health and safety concerns. This type of behavior is simply unacceptable considering the current climate on college campuses.

Alpha Chi Omega retains the right to appeal the decision, and the Office of Student Conduct & Community informed the chapter leadership of the deadlines and process for appeals as outlined in the Lehigh University Code of Conduct.

The sorority will lose University recognition and access to group housing immediately upon conclusion of the University’s disciplinary process.  Details regarding housing will be shared once the appeal process has concluded.

Spring Break Tips

OFSA wishes you a happy, healthy, and safe spring break!

Feature Friday: Gaby Montes, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.

Gaby Montes gets a second guest blog as she shares about her AFLV experience!


The Association of Fraternal and Sorority Values Conference was an amazing, re-energizing, eye-opening, and transformative experience. I am so grateful that I received the oppurtunity to attend! Honestly, this experience reminded me of why I decided to become a member of Greek Life in the first place. I was greatly energized after meeting many sorority sisters and brothers from all over the country who shared similar passions and with whom I instantly connected. It was also re-energizing to be surrounded by and have conversations with various Greek leaders that represented many different organizations, campuses, and states. These leaders shared unique experiences, but we all connected through our similar yearning to bring positive change onto our campuses. Not only did this experience introduce me to individuals from around the country, but it brought me closer to the fellow AFLV attendees from Lehigh that represented all three Greek councils. We greatly bonded through the experience in a way we would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. This is true Greek unity in my eyes.

Aside from the networking and bonding aspect of the conference, I learned a large amount about myself, more effective ways to lead, creating change in the world, unifying the councils, and helping my organization to succeed and accomplish its mission. I already find myself implementing many of these lessons into my chapter and daily leadership. GEM taught me to view leadership as a process rather than a title/role and I believe that AFLV contributed a lot to my leadership development and process as a whole. I attended workshops that ranged from being a high achiever and preventing burning out, motivating members, delegating, calling people out properly, feeling one does not deserve the opportunities they earned, and being a cultural Greek at a predominately white institution.

I found myself fully awake and engaged in each workshop and felt myself growing as a result of it. Since the conference, I have been delegating more, trying to take more time for myself to prevent burn out, and utilizing strategies I learned to make my chapter, council, and campus as strong as it can be. Overall, AFLV truly empowered me and filled me with the energy I felt I was running low on. Afterword, I was ready to continue to motivate positive social change. Who knew that one weekend conference could have such a large impact?

Feature Friday: Julius Wibisono, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Get excited to hear about the 2018 Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values Conference experience in the coming weeks! First up, Julius Wibisono!

Once being offered the opportunity to attend the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values Conference in Indianapolis, I couldn’t have been more excited to network and to learn about what workshops that they have organized for its participants. My first full day at the conference, I learned that organizations that fall under the Multicultural Greek Council find it difficult to be exposed around their campus. Despite having to throw multiple events throughout their campus, these multicultural Greek organizations still struggle to gain exposure. Through the help of my peers whom were present at AFLV, I began to realize that the root of the problem derives from the campus climate and one member even mentioned that it can also come from the lack of effort from the organization’s members. Although Kappa Alpha Psi does not fall under MGC, I took that lesson into account and began to form ways on how I can push and implement more effort from my chapter. One of the ways is to bond. By spending some time in fellowship with my chapter members, I believe that the amount of contribution that they have and will put on this campus and on this fraternity, will always be valued and recognized. Another way is to emphasize that legacy within our chapter is very, very essential. Omicron Kappa of Kappa Alpha Psi is a small, yet close chapter - meaning that although we don’t stress the quantitative aspect within the fraternity, we do value the quality characteristics of each individual that are present in this chapter. Somehow, and some way, we must leave a legacy so that future members can follow our good, and learn from our bad.

What surprised me most throughout the conference was the amount of brothers that came from Kappa Alpha Psi. During AFLV, it was my first time being exposed to that many brothers from my fraternity ever since I became a proud member of this bond. The way we interacted and bonded was something that I had not expected and I am very happy to say that I networked very well. Being able to know brothers from the University of Minnesota to UNC Charlotte is something I know that will be useful for me in both the short and the long run, and of course, it is one of the opportunities that I will not take for granted. What didn’t surprise me was the additional bonding and friendships that I made with my Lehigh Friends. Cyrus, Tom, Isabel and Gaby were all wonderful companions and the amount of love and support that they will have from me is indescribable. I was very lucky to have spent an extra 6 hour layover with them, and what’s better than that? Of course, Corey, who was very patient and helpful throughout our trip!

Feature Friday: Kate Morrell, Zeta Tau Alpha

Our first LeaderShape guest blog of 2018 is from Kate Morrell, ZTA sister!

Looking back on my first year at Lehigh, I realized how difficult my adjustment was to living on my own. From the heavy workload I was balancing to being more involved on campus and making new friends, it wasn’t easy. I struggled to find people who shared values similar to my own. But by the start of my sophomore year when I joined ZTA, my new sisters sparked a newfound confidence in me to push myself out of my comfort zone, where I strived to become a leader in my sorority and to not be afraid to speak up for myself. Having that support system from my sisters truly helped me find my inner confidence.

One night last semester, after a long discussion with a close friend about the changes that Lehigh’s Greek Life were undergoing, she asked me out of curiosity “Have you ever thought about applying for Leadershape?” I had always heard great things about LeaderShape, but it wasn’t until that moment that I actually gave it serious consideration. Little did I know that this experience would be life-changing for me, as I became more aware of my personal vision as a leader with an ultimate goal to lead with integrity. I had been involved with a variety of leadership programs before, but LeaderShape was unlike any other experience I’ve been through. I was ecstatic to spend a week away with other Lehigh students to not only share our personal experiences that we’ve had at Lehigh, but to learn from one another about how be more effective leaders.

Out of the 58 students that attended, only 14 of us in total were involved in Greek organizations. I was worried going into LeaderShape that people would judge me because I was so involved in my sorority and the great influence Greek life has over Lehigh’s campus. But as each day passed, I wasn’t so concerned about what people at LeaderShape thought of me or whether they were judging my opinions and ideas. We all came from different backgrounds and have a great amount of curve balls thrown at us. As we began to open up and honestly share our thoughts and opinions with one another, we all instantaneously became connected as leaders in establishing that trust as each day continued on.

The greatest takeaway I had from LeaderShape was the fact that we all truly cared about one another as a collective Lehigh community and wanted to see each and every one of us work to our fullest potential. I’ve made so many new friends and learned more about my peers that were involved in organizations like Break the Silence, Gryphon Society, Marching 97, and more. I became more aware about the resources we have (and don’t have) available to us as students, as well as the changes that need to be made to create less of a divide between students involved in Greek life and those not affiliated.

As I reflect back on the first day of LeaderShape, I was surrounded by complete strangers as if I was starting my first year at Lehigh all over again. Now, I have many strong connections to people that I know I can always seek out if I am in need of help, no matter what. I hope to take the lessons I’ve learned from LeaderShape with me forever as I continue to lead with integrity and great confidence, and to implement great changes both in my chapter and the Lehigh community.

Feature Friday: Nick Furgason, Phi Sigma Kappa

Big thanks to Nick Furgason of Phi Sigma Kappa for kicking off Spring 2018 guest blogging!

In my opinion, being an Orientation Leader is the single best way to get the absolute most out of one’s time at Lehigh. The friendships we all made, the skills we learned, and the new perspectives we gained in such a short span of time is so unique and this experience extends to all types of Lehigh student. No matter how different someone’s path at Lehigh may be, one thing every student who comes to this university has in common is they go through orientation. As an Orientation Leader, it was up to all 80+ of us to put down our baggage so to say and realize that being an Orientation Leader is about one thing— being there for the First-Years.

During our staff trainings it didn’t matter that I was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa, or that I was from Colorado, or that I didn’t have a major, or I spent most of my time working on Dance Marathon; all that mattered was that I was there for the same reason as everyone else and I wanted to be a positive influence on someone and help new students find their way here at Lehigh. The same went for everyone else that sacrificed 10 days of their summer break to come back to school early, train from what seemed to be sun up to sun down, and carry box after box up the stairs of Dravo. What chapter we were or were not in, or where we fell on the social hierarchy didn’t matter. We were all OLs.

This sense of unity is so unique and so freeing in an environment that seems so stuck in its rigid tradition of Greek hierarchy. This experience allowed me to see outside of my social bubble and meet new and amazing people from so many different fraternity and sorority chapter and people who weren’t in chapters at all. It gave me a hope and yearning for everyone else to look beyond their bubbles too.

Hazing Prevention Week 2018

Don't miss out on participating in Hazing Prevention Week!  There are several ways to get involved, but most importantly, STEP UP!

Sunday Feb 4th: Message to the community from Vice Provost Dr. Ric Hall
Monday Feb 5th: Hazing prevention webinar & social media campaign
Tuesday Feb 6th: BYOL discussion & workshop
Wednesday Feb 7th: Tim Mousseau keynote and workshops
Thursday Feb 8th: Awareness day via tabling and Rep your Org!
Friday Feb 9th: Brown & White Friday!

 For more information or to get involved, email Corey Gant at jcg216@lehigh.edu.