In the wake of allegations that members of the house yelled offensive language at a passing student, a Level I adjudication hearing will be held next week to investigate related charges against Psi Upsilon fraternity, according to Assistant Dean of Residential Life Cassie Barnhardt.
The hearing was announced in a letter sent yesterday from the Office of Residential Life to the President of Psi Upsilon, Michael Holick '02. Dean of Residential Life Marty Redman said the house's advisors as well as members of the Judiciary Committee also received the letter.
According to Redman, the hearing will occur next Thursday, a date in accordance with the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council guidelines that mandate a week's notice before the holding of any adjudication hearing.
Barnhardt explained that the hearing was the lower of two possible levels of adjudication, and that as such, Psi U has options as to how it wishes the matter judged.
"Any group that goes to the JC can elect to have a hearing with a hearing officer only, or they can have a peer review board that makes recommendations to the officer," she said.
CFS Council President Shihwan Chung '02 said he was not surprised to learn of the announcement.
"I think the Judicial Committee hearing was a bit of an inevitability," he said. "It is a necessary step, but at the same time I think it will be fair, and I am especially encouraged that the leadership of Psi U has taken very proactive steps in dealing with this issue."
Earlier this week, Psi Upsilon held a discussion with Native Americans at Dartmouth, while a similar discussion, which the fraternity held last Friday with Sigma Delta sorority, dealt with gender and the Greek system.
Additionally, a letter sent out today from Dean of the College James Larimore listed a variety of potential means of response to the incident, including discussions within the Diversity Peer Program and The Committee on Civil Discourse.
Though Holick was unavailable for comment, Chung expressed his support for Psi U's response and said he hoped that the matter could be resolved to the benefit of the entire Dartmouth community.
"I'm reluctant to speculate on the outcome, but at the same time, I'd hope that what comes out of the JC is not just punitive sanctions, but ways of healing and enriching the community."
Barnhardt was also unwilling to predict the results of the hearing, but stated that she would like to see a decision that reflects both the nature of the infraction and which benefits everyone involved.
"The whole community is interested in seeing any matter like this resolved quickly and efficiently," she said, adding that, in her opinion, "a hearing procedure should become a positive experience for everyone involved."
