Editor's Note:
This article is about Lehigh's decision to remove the Beta Theta Pi and the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternities from the school. Beta Theta Pi will not be able to return for ten years due to issues with alcohol and drugs while Sammy will face a lesser penalty. This shows why it is important to have a strong sense of personal responsibility and act within the guidelines set by the College and the IFC.Alcohol forces out Lehigh fraternities
Two organizations to be off campus for several years.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The Express-Times BETHLEHEM | Two Lehigh University fraternities are closing after underage drinking incidents, including one that landed two students in the hospital.
Beta Theta Pi and Sigma Alpha Mu have been ordered to shut their doors, according to John Smeaton, vice provost for student affairs. Hearings were held on campus earlier this week.
In Beta Theta Pi's case, the fraternity's international headquarters, based in Ohio, stepped in before the hearing and disbanded the chapter. The fraternity is not permitted to reopen at Lehigh for 10 years.
Sigma Alpha Mu was already on disciplinary probation from drinking-related incidents in the fall semester, Smeaton said. So when Alexander Freeman and Nicholas Benintende were charged with underage drinking, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia Feb. 3, it was the last straw.
Smeaton said Sigma Alpha Mu's sanction is in effect for four years. Both houses have a week to appeal, but Smeaton said Beta Theta Pi would have to win at the university and the national level to keep the house.
Neither Thomas Olver, director of communications, or Judson Horras, administrative secretary at the chapter's headquarters in Ohio, was available for comment Friday.
There are 19 other fraternities and nine sororities at Lehigh. The last house closed for disciplinary reasons was Alpha Sigma Phi in 2005, Smeaton said.
Students in the two fraternities that have been ordered to close won't be without housing. Lehigh officials are permitting them to remain in the fraternity houses for the remainder of the semester, as long as they do not violate any more rules.
"Our number one priority is to protect the health and safety of our students, and clearly in that case that was jeopardized," Smeaton said. "That simply cannot be tolerated."
From 1996 to 2005, Lehigh had a grant that targeted problems associated with underage drinking. Since then, Smeaton said, the university has continued to fund educational programs and policies to teach students what is expected of them and consistently enforce violations.
"We look at the entire campus environment and try to identify with our students, with our alums, with our faculty and staff, opportunities to promote a healthy culture," he said.
Posted By: Evan Hackler
