As Spring term begins to wind down, a decision on Chi Heorot fraterity's Winter term Minimum Standards review has still not been finalized, but a decision from the Office of Residential Life is likely sometime next week.
If the initial review board decision -- which found the fraternity in violation of four of the six Minimum Standards -- is affirmed, it could lead to the organization's derecognition. However, new information presented to the review board appeares to have been effective in prompting the review board to reconsider.
The fraternity requested reconsideration of the original determination immediately after house representatives were formally informed of it in late April.
Chi Heorot President Michael Salice '02 and organization advisor Richard Akerboom '80 met with the house's Minimum Standards review board and Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman Tuesday evening to present information pertaining to that request.
Members of the review board declined to discuss the specifics of their revised recommendation or the details of the presentation by Chi Heorot on Tuesday. However, information affecting the recommendation was apparently supplied.
"There was clearly some new information," John Engelman, who served as a member of the review board due to his position as advisor to Alpha Delta fraternity. "I think it made a difference."
Redman, who will make the final decision based on the revised recommendation of the review board, previously told The Dartmouth that conclusions reached by the review board may not have been accurate if all the facts were not available.
Review board chair and Acting Assistant Dean of Residential Life Cassie Barnhardt said she expected to finish the report detailing the groups revised recommendations and turn it over to Redman before the weekend begins.
Salice could not be reached for comment yesterday.
According to Coed Fraternity Sorority Council President Shihwan Chung '02, Chi Heorot was found to be in violation of the Minimum Standards addressing issues of membership, leadership, behavior and budget.
Greek organizations that fail to pass their annual Minimum Standards review can either be termed in "provisional noncompliance" or "noncompliance."
If a house's failure is termed provisional, they will have a set amount of time to correct the problem. Organizations whose failure is simply termed "noncompliance may temporarily or permanently lose their College recognition.
The "request for reconsideration" process currently underway is different from a more conventional appeal. Only evidence not previously introduced will serve as a basis on which the review board may change its decision.
