Despite speculation that, after a recent University investigation, Theta Chi fraternity could be the next greek organization to dissolve itself or be kicked off campus, the Edens Quad fraternity rests on solid ground, officials said Monday.
In an agreement reached Monday morning between the fraternity's officers and the Office of Judicial Affairs, Theta Chi will remain on probation for the rest of the semester, but thereafter will be allowed to stay on campus and recruit a pledge class.
"The fraternity has developed some internal measures to address recent concerns, which we support," Dean of Judicial Affairs Kacie Wallace wrote in an e-mail. "There were no judicial charges and no disciplinary sanctions issued."
The agreement says Theta Chi will come under social suspension for the remainder of the fall semester, and that it will maintain its probationary status and keep its commons room locked for the remainder of the academic year. The fraternity will also develop monthly or bi-monthly social schedules for the spring semester and complete an ongoing fraternity-wide service project.
Theta Chi President Joel Yancey said he was satisfied with the University's decision.
"We came to an agreement that is hopefully going to be mutually agreeable," said Yancey, a junior.
Wallace said her office continues to try to help student groups identify ways to govern themselves and design means to address problems when they arise.
"Theta Chi put a lot of time into designing measures they believe would be effective, and we are hopeful that working together will prove beneficial to both of us," she wrote.
Due to a combination of alcohol and hazing violations, administrators placed Theta Chi on probation last semester, preventing the fraternity from having all but one party or any brotherhood events. This semester, officials caught Theta Chi violating its probation when a residence coordinator found five members and seven non-members playing a drinking game in their section.
Student Affairs officials had asked the fraternity to submit a possible punishment, which officials accepted. If the University had rejected the plan, Theta Chi would have needed to pick one of three punishments suggested by the University: not take an incoming pledge class, lose its living section or dissolve entirely.
Last week, Director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Todd Adams predicted that the situation would not come to any of those three possibilities--all of which Theta Chi members said would translate into dissolution. Adams said that University officials wanted to see Theta Chi's proposal of how brothers thought they could address some of the internal problems identified by the administration and the chapter.
"Everything seems to be in good shape," Adams said Monday.
Those involved in this semester's commons room incident also received self-imposed punishments. Administrators placed each student on social suspension for the remainder of the fall semester and continuing through the end of the spring semester, excluding rush and recruitment events. They will also be required to complete 12 hours of community service and pay a $50 fine to be used for philanthropic purposes.
Last week, Kappa Sigma fraternity--which moved into Theta Chi's old living section this year-announced its own dissolution, citing pressures from its national headquarters and the University.
Sue Wasiolek, dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs, said she was pleased that Theta Chi did not suffer the same fate.
"The ideal solution is for all groups to take responsibility for themselves," Wasiolek said.
"Our hope is that we would never have to intervene."
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