by Amanda Stutevoss
Sports Editor
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity will not function as a fraternity until September 2003 following a disciplinary suspension, according to fraternity President Shane Haldeman.
The fraternity has been barred from participating on campus following a stripper incident in February during which rush rules were violated.
The University of La Verne Greek Review Board notified fraternity members of its ruling Monday after a disciplinary hearing March 21.
The incident apparently involved paid strippers who did more than shed their clothes, according to sources close to fraternity members who asked that their names not be used.
“They weren’t there, they don’t know what happened,” fraternity member Ralph Solis countered.
Review Board members, including Associate Dean of Student Affairs Ruby Montaño-Cordova, Director of Campus Activities and Commuter Programs Deborah Gordon and Associated Student Federation Forum President Kim Reed, either declined to comment or could not be reached by press time Thursday.
The incident happened on February 28 after the Phi Delts’ preference dinner when two strippers apparently arrived at the party where approximately 10 potential new member were still present. Such activities are in violation of rush rules laid down by the Inter Fraternity Council.
According to the IFC Constitution, Article III Section 4, part A “All rush events and rush publicity must be designed in good taste as defined in the Fraternity Rush Policies.
A fine of $500 shall be imposed for each time the fraternity rush committee deems a rush publicity in bad taste or unacceptable.”
The apparent violation came to light after anonymous sources informed Gordon of the incident. The Greek Review Board waited until Monday to inform the fraternity of the sanctions that would be taken.
“We are on school suspension until September of 2003, which means we cannot wear our letters, we cannot initiate pledges, we cannot have any activities, and we can only meet twice a semester,” Haldeman said.
Phi Delta Theta has 10 days to “request consideration of the President of the University regarding sanctions,” according to the letter that was sent to the fraternity from the Greek Review Board informing members of the punishment chosen.
“To us it seems a little bit excessive,” Haldeman said. “They (the Greek Review Board) told us that they didn’t want to kill our organization, however suspending our fraternity and denying us rush privileges will leave us with seven active members in September 2003.”
The Phi Delts have handed the option to reconsider the sanction to their General Headquarters.
“GHQ was faxed a copy of the letter and they are looking over the punishment of the crime,” Haldeman said. “They will let us know whether or not to attempt an appeal.”
Across campus, mixed emotions followed the decision.
“The consequences were unfortunate for them and I think that it affects the entire campus in one way or another,” said Fiona Carter, a member of Iota Delta Sorority.
“It gives a negative perspective of the Greek system,” said President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon James Breitling. “All Greeks, not just Phi Delts, try to get rid of the stereotypes of fraternities and sororities, and things like this don’t help.”
“I think that the punishment was harsh,” said Chi Delta Omicron IFC Representative, Falone Serna. “For us it is extremely unfortunate. We came on campus to give students more options when choosing a fraternity, and now their choice is back down to two.”
