The College plans to review sanctions placed on Beta Theta Pi fraternity -- including the prohibition of alcohol in the house -- later this term after "some specific details" are worked out, Dean of Residential Life Mary Turco said.
Beta President Jason Fanuele '96 said, "We're up for minimum standards review this term. Upon that review, the College will decide if we can have alcohol."
At the end of Spring term, the College suspended Beta's recognition for one year and imposed 10 other penalties on the house because of an alleged hazing incident in the fall. The penalties ranged from prohibiting Beta from having alcohol in the house and holding parties to withholding College billing privileges.
Beta's Board of Trustees handed them another 11 sanctions, while its national organization suspended Beta's charter.
During the last two terms, Fanuele said Beta has worked hard to meet the terms of the sanctions, managing to stay afloat despite the penalties and negative press surrounding the house.
"We decided to implement a whole new program, turn things around, so to speak," Fanuele said. "I see us coming out of these sanctions. I'm looking forward to this term -- it should be interesting and fun."
In fact, Fanuele said that the house had a strong rush period in the fall.
"Despite the poor publicity we had received last spring, a large and enthusiastic pledge class of 26 rushed Beta," Fanuele said. "Twenty-six was the same as my class."
Beta was required by both the College and its Trustees to revamp its pledge period, and Fanuele said the house has successfully done that.
"We've done a whole new pledge program which teaches a lot more about the history [of the house] and how it is to be a Beta," he said. He added that he is confident that Beta will regain its charter from the national fraternity.
"Our newest brothers improve upon Beta's strong sense of leadership and social activism in the community," Fanuele said. "In fact, despite the sanctions imposed upon us, especially strong fraternal bonds were developed within the house throughout the fall rush."
Owen MacDonald '97, who rushed Beta this fall, said the sanctions did not have much impact on his decision to join the house.
"It hasn't really affected my decision at all. They're a good group of guys and we're digging our way out," he said. "My brother was a Beta -- that's why I rushed," he said. "We've kept our noses clean."
Beta's Trustees also ordered that a Beta graduate live in the house and act as an advisor -- a penalty that Fanuele said has turned out to help the house.
"We have a new advisor. He's helping us out a lot," Fanuele said.
Last May, Turco and the Coed Fraternity and Sorority Judicial Council, a panel that adjudicates alleged Greek house violations, found Beta guilty of violating the alcohol policy, disorderly conduct, hazing, failing to meet minimum standards and violating Beta's statement of purpose, code of ethics and general conduct policy.
Turco then imposed the sanctions based on the recommendations of the CFS Judicial Council.
The charges stemmed from an alleged hazing incident on the night of Oct. 26 when two Beta brothers allegedly hazed a pledge.
Under the terms of the College-imposed sanctions, Beta also had to sponsor three events devoted to discouraging hazing, publicly make a statement opposing hazing, establish an in-house judicial board and overhaul their new membership program.
This was not the first time in recent memory that the College has imposed stiff penalties on Beta. Four years ago, the College derecog-nized Beta for three terms after 10 Beta brothers abducted and tormented a Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity brother.
