Phi Sigma Chi was placed under investigation for potential hazing violations in March. Greek Council handled the inquiry which yielded two violations.
“After our information collection process it was determined that the fraternity was responsible for violation of the orientation calendar policy of fraternity and sorority life and a violation of the anti-hazing agreement for fraternity and sorority life,” said Jeremy Allen, assistant director for fraternity and sorority life. “It doesn’t mean that they were found responsible of hazing, it just means that they were found responsible of violating that agreement. So, two violations for which the organization was found responsible. And then we have kind of the action plan and the next steps that came out of those findings.”
Allen discussed what Greek Council and the organization were doing to remedy the infractions. Action steps have been planned that will hopefully translate to meaningful measures for change.
“So the steps primarily are focused on the orientation process for next year, more alumni involvement, more guaranteed time off for new members, certain events might have to be on campus,” Allen said. “Really just a full review of the orientation events and how they can best be held to communicate values and history and all that to new members. Primarily focused on the orientation activities in the next year. In that process some of those action steps will start as soon as June. Others will occur in the fall. Some of them will be implemented in the spring during orientation.”
Allen also emphasized the collaborative nature in which the steps were made. There were talks between Greek Council and Phi Sigma Chi about making lasting alterations.
“I think that this was a collaborative approach that didn’t happen in the past,” Allen said. “This is something we’ve identified as being really important. So as much as we can work with organizations to help identify meaningful next steps and impactful way to make real tangible change, that’s what we want to do as student involvement. It’s going to be much more effective than just handing down imposed sanctions. That’s not really doing members or future members much good if they don’t agree with the approach. I am happy that it felt collaborative. I think the organization would agree.”
