An open letter to the Dartmouth community:
As you may be aware, Phi Delta Alpha Fraternity's recognition as an organization has been suspended indefinitely effective March 2, 2000. Due to the nature of the sanction I felt that it is important to inform you of this decision, why it occurred, and what it means for the organization.
On February 21, I conducted a hearing with the Coed, Fraternity, Sorority-Judiciary Committee in an advisory capacity to determine the facts of two separate allegations of misconduct by the Phi Delta Alpha Fraternity. In both cases, the fraternity was charged with violations of the Dartmouth Community Standards of Conduct and the Coed, Fraternity, and Sorority (CFS) Constitution and Minimum Standards.
In the first case, the fraternity was charged with engaging in the rush and pledging of first-year students, serving underage students alcohol, tolerating illegal drug use in the chapter facility, providing false information to the College in certifying membership compliance, and conducting a pledge education program based upon coercion through the use of peer pressure. I have determined that Phi Delta Alpha Fraternity violated conduct Standards II, IV and VII and CFS Membership Standard, Section C2.
In the second case, Phi Delta Alpha Fraternity was charged with violations of the Dartmouth Community of Standards of Conduct and the CFS Minimum Standards after four of its members, while intoxicated, broke into Chi Gamma Epsilon Fraternity this past December. One of the members started a fire by igniting citronella oil on a table. Two other members stole a small refrigerator on their way out of the building as the fire alarm sounded. The members who returned to the Phi Delta Alpha house as the alarm sounded, as well as other members present at Phi Delt, turned out their lights, locked their door, and made no attempt to help evacuate Chi Gamma Epsilon, help extinguish the fire, call for emergency assistance nor inform authorities about what had happened.
After careful deliberation with the CFS Judiciary Committee, and consistent with the College's Group Accountability Policy I have determined that Phi Delta Alpha Fraternity is responsible and therefore accountable for the behavior of its members in these circumstances. As a result, the organization is responsible for breaking into the locked facility of another organization and while inside committing acts of theft, property damage and arson. Additionally, the chapter allowed underage individuals to consume alcoholic beverages in the chapter facility. Therefore, the chapter did violate Standards I, II and IV.
Recognition will be suspended effective immediately, and continuing indefinitely, with the organization first eligible to apply for re-recognition in the Fall of 2002 provided it meets the criteria for recognition existing at that time. Students currently scheduled to live in the house through spring term will be permitted to do so, but no organizational activities or functions will be allowed. Failure to adhere to the suspension guidelines will result in permanent revocation of recognition for Phi Delta Alpha Fraternity and could lead to disciplinary actions against individuals involved through the College's disciplinary process.
The section of the Student Handbook, which discusses the Dartmouth Community Standards of Conduct, states the following,
...All communities, including academic communities like Dartmouth, have the need to articulate standards of conduct; to educate people about behavior and traits of character that the community wishes to promote or discourage; to protect members of the community from unwarranted nterference or harm; to hold individuals and groups responsible for their actions and the consequences of their behavior; and to cultivate an environment conductive to the achievement of the community's purposes in this case, the purpose of learning. In other words, codes or standards of conduct and disciplinary systems exist to preserve and enforce the values of the community. ...
This statement clearly articulates that our Standards of Conduct not only hold individuals and groups accountable for their behavior; but, more importantly, are designed to educate about the traits of character and values that define who we are as a community. While some may disagree with the sanction imposed, I believe that we all can understand how the behavior of this organization disregarded some of the core values of the Dartmouth community.
As a result of information provided at the hearing, we learned that the organization has misrepresented itself to the College and the CFSC since Winter Term 1997. Members of the Class of 2000 rushed and joined the organization during their first year, while listing their official affiliation with the organization as the Fall of 1997. In addition, I found that the organization used tactics of coercion and harassment as a form of peer pressure to encourage conformity during the pledge education period for these men. Alcohol was served to underage individuals on numerous occasions and drug use was tolerated within the chapter facility. More recently, based on a tradition of "pranks" against another organization, chapter members broke into another house stole property, damaged property and committed arson. Once realizing what had been done the chapter did nothing to assist their neighbors, but rather shut off the lights instead of coming forward to accept responsibility.
The Dartmouth community values integrity and honesty and will not condone nor allow an organization to exist that does not aspire to these values. The Dartmouth community will not tolerate any behavior that endangers the safety and well being of its members, nor will it excuse coercion or group intimidation in any form. For these reasons, I have imposed an indefinite suspension upon this chapter. The current chapter has lost sight of these values as an organization and has engaged in activity that warrants this punishment. At the same time, this organization in the past has aspired to these values and I believe they can again once the current members are no longer present.
I would like to encourage the Dartmouth community to use this situation as an opportunity for reflection and dialogue about the ways in which students and student organizations act as members of the Dartmouth community. The issues involved here do not apply only to Greek organizations. As a community we must continually inform our newest members of the values we ascribe to Dartmouth while challenging each other to incorporate these ideals into our daily interactions.
