Omega Psi Phi apologizes

The rules of the National Panhellenic Council at Duke University regarding stepshows define disorderly conduct as:

1. Any action that unreasonably disrupts the peace or compromises acceptable standards of the university community;

2. Any unreasonable or reckless conduct that is inherently or potentially unsafe

to other persons or their real or personal property; or

1. Any behavior that interferes with the normal operation of the university or

university-sponsored activities.

On Sept. 30, 2005, members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. participated in the homecoming stepshow. During the course of the stepshow, a number of canes, later identified as canes commonly used by members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, were thrown onto the stage where members of Omega Psi Phi were stepping. One or more of these canes subsequently were repelled from the stage, apparently causing injury to two stepshow spectators. Despite its plea of "not responsible," and the mounting of a vigorous defense, the Greek Judicial Board ordered Omega Psi Phi to state as it does here that it did not adhere to the NPHC rules set forth above and that such is not reflective of the Greek community, and to apologize as it does here to the Duke community and the NPHC for any contribution that it may have had to the actions and events that transpired at the stepshow on Sept. 30. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has a proud tradition of friendship and service in every community where members reside. In all of our activities we strive to uphold our fraternity's four cardinal principals of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift and to exemplify our motto that "Friendship is Essential to the Soul." It is in the spirit of these cardinal principles and in the tradition of friendship that we address this communication to the Duke community.

Demetrius Warrick '05, Basileus

The Omega Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi