Phi Delta Alpha Fraternity filed a formal appeal on Wednesday against the College's derecognition decision of March 2.
The appeal was filed on the basis of new information -- that was not present in the original case -- and some procedural errors, while Phi Delt also pleaded for clemency, Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman said.
Redman said he will be spending the next few days studying the merits of the appeal and ascertaining the overall fairness of the original hearing.
He said the main question surrounding the appeal, which he will have to answer, is whether the fundamental issues of fairness were violated, adding that as the Hearing Officer he possesses the right to dismiss the appeal.
"By this time next week, we should know at least in terms of what direction we will be taking," Redman said.
Explaining the possible future outcomes of the appeal, Redman said he will consider all the procedural errors point by point to determine their legitimacy.
"Typically if procedural errors are found to be legitimate, a new hearing occurs," Redman said. "We then start all over again."
In a previous interview with The Dartmouth, President of Phi Delt, Matt K. Nelson '00, said the JC considered the two cases against Phi Delt -- the break in and fire in Chi Gamma Epsilon Fraternity and the charges of hazing, "dirty rushing," heavy drug use, serving alcohol to underage students and providing false information to the College -- as one case -- a possible procedural error on the basis of which Phi Delt is likely to have appealed.
Nelson could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Redman said he also will closely consider the new information and decide whether it warrants a new hearing, adding that if the information is of a complex nature, "I will run it by my hearing group" to decide.
Redman explained that a plea for clemency does not require a new hearing at all, adding that as the person who originally decided the case, "I'm probably not the best person to deal with the clemency issue."
Informing The Dartmouth that he met with Dean of the College James Larimore yesterday, Redman said he is also expected to decide who is going to hear the appeal by early next week. Redman has also met with the Larimore previously to ask him if someone else could hear the appeal to increase its fairness.
Redman explained that due to the timing of the decision last term, Phi Delt was granted their request for an extended deadline to file the appeal -- which ordinarily must be done within seven days of a decision.
