Lambda Chi Alpha and Zeta Beta Tau have both been placed on quarter-long social probation by the Greek Judicial Board for alcohol-related incidents, according to Executive Director of Campus Life Carl Johnson.
“They have violated Greek judicial code or honor code in some form or fashion,” said Johnson. “They are not allowed to have social events.”
Since Jan. 11, Lambda has been cited on the crime log for liquor laws, underage possession, Drug Abuse, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Criminal Trespass. ZBT was cited for assault on Jan. 12. Around Jan. 11, a cease and desist was placed on Lambda Chi Alpha, according to DCS Crime Prevention Sgt. Stephen Banet.
According to Roman Valencia, a member of the Greek Judicial Board, cease and desists are precautionary measures.
“Cease and desists are generally placed down on serious matters as a precaution until everything could be sorted out and probably dealt with,” said Valencia.
Valencia, who also serves as Multicultural Greek Council President, works on the Greek Judicial Board with the Intra-Fraternal Council President, the Pan Hellenic President, the Multi-Cultural Greek Council President and the judicial affairs member. According to Valencia, when campus safety files an official report regarding Greek Life, the incidents are brought to the board’s attention.
“We utilize the evidence that we can obtain and have a meeting with the president of the suspected organization and voice our opinion on what we feel should happen afterwards,” said Valencia.
Megan Pendley-Pickett, director of student activities, said she was “proud” of how the Greek Judicial Board has responded.
“They have been fair with the chapters [ZBT and Lambda] and hope that their judicial outcomes result in positive changes for the chapters,” said Pendley-Pickett.
Banet said Campus Safety is not involved in whether a fraternity or sorority goes on probation.
“We don’t have any say in that whatsoever,” said Banet. “Sometimes we’re notified when [chapters] are on probation and sometimes we aren’t.”
During fall quarter, a community-wide Cease and Desist was placed on all Greek Life chapters. At this point in time, only select chapter of Greek Life are on probation.
Johnson said that Greek residents can have alcohol in their room if they are over 21, but because most people who live in Greek housing are under 21, alcohol is banned in common space.
Johnson said it’s often the action of one person that gets the whole fraternity in trouble.
“A lot of the times it’s easier to identify Greek groups,” said Johnson. “There are individual students making individual decisions, hosting events that get whole frat in trouble.”
Drew Grannemann, president of Lambda Chi Alpha, had no comment. Intra-Fraternal Council president Sam Vinson also had no comment. Kevin Sullivan, president of ZBT, and Cody Bohonnon, vice president of judicial affairs, could not be reached for comment at the time this went to press.
