On Friday, Mississippi State University placed Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity on probation through May.
The probation comes after the organization held an unauthorized party and violated university alcohol policies during a late-August event.
Vice president for student affairs Bill Kibler said MSU Police officials do not consider the sexual assault investigation complete.
“We don’t anticipate charges at this point, but the investigation is still ongoing; we’re still looking into things,” he said.
MSU Police Chief Georgia Lindley was unavailable for comment on the investigation at the time of publication.
The fraternity’s probation will continue through May 15, 2010.
The terms of the probation include limiting organizational activities to internal business meetings and member recruitment through Dec. 31, 2009.
From Jan. 1 to May 15, 2010, fraternity activities will be limited to alcohol-free events, all of which must be approved by appropriate university authorities.
All members must complete an alcohol education class through the dean of students’ office.
The chapter must sponsor an educational speaker for all MSU Greek organizations on a topic that benefits the needs of the community, and progress reports must be submitted to the university every three months.
In a Friday statement, Kibler said university officials consider the probation appropriate to seriousness of the group’s actions.
“Failure to comply with any of these terms, as well as substantial terms from the national fraternity, can result in additional sanctions,” he said.
Lambda Chi Alpha President Ben Nanney would not comment at the time of publication and directed all questions to the fraternity’s national headquarters.
Tad Lichtenauer, Lambda Chi Alpha National Headquarters communication director, said national fraternity officials agree with and support MSU’s decision to place the Epsilon Chi chapter on probation.
“The university’s terms for probation were the result of a collaborative effort between the university, the undergraduate chapter leadership and the International Headquarters,” he said.
Allegations of a possible sexual assault and alcohol violations surfaced in connection with a weekend party at the fraternity house at the end of August.
MSU Police officers served a search warrant Sept. 2 and removed over 11 paper bags of evidence from the house.
No arrests have been made in connection with the sexual assault investigation at time of publication.
Categories:
Fraternity put on probation through May
Carl Smith
•
September 14, 2009
0