The crest of Alpha Delta, the fraternity which was placed on probation by Duquesne.
The crest of Alpha Delta, the fraternity which was placed on probation by Duquesne.
Raymond Arke | News Editor
03/15/18
With the misdeeds of Greek Life members across the nation dominating headlines, one of Duquesne’s fraternities has been placed on disciplinary probation by the Office of Greek Life and the Office of Student Conduct.
According to Rebecca Mickler, director of Greek Life, Honor Societies and Professional Organizations at Duquesne, the Alpha Delta, Pi Chi Chapter was placed on disciplinary probation for violating three codes in the Student Handbook.
The three violations were of Code 3.A.v, which prohibits “use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by law and applicable University rules;” Code 3.I Endangering the Health or Safety of another Person; and Code 3.N, which outlaws “acting in violation of the anti-hazing policy found in the Policies, Information and Guidelines section of the Student Handbook.”
Mickler said that as a result of the violations, “Alpha Delta is prohibited from hosting events involving alcohol during their probation period, which ends in May 2019. They understand that failure to comply will result in chapter suspension from Duquesne University.”
She said that each chapter of Greek Life is to follow a risk management plan that is outlined in the Student Handbook. If there is a violation, then the office gets involved.
“When the Office of Greek Life is made aware of possible risk management policy violations by a chapter or chapter member, we investigate, meet with the organization representatives and then determine whether to move forward with either a mediation process or conduct hearing with the University’s Office of Student Conduct,” she said.
Mickler stressed they host a variety of programs to educate Greek Life members about Duquesne’s policies and risk management strategies.
“For example, Greek 101 is a mandatory program held every semester for all new sorority and fraternity members that both introduces them to Greek Life at Duquesne and educates them about how to identify hazing and how to report incidents,” Mickler said. This semester’s event had a panel consisting of Public Safety, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape and other organizations.
The no-alcohol policy is made very clear, she said.
“Our Office of Greek Life staff emphasize to all Greek organizations and new members that no alcohol may be present at any new member program, activity or ritual of the chapter,” Mickler said. “This includes, but is not limited to, activities associated with bid night, big brother-little brother/big sister-little sister events or activities and member initiation.”
The Pi Chi Chapter of Alpha Delta was founded in 2007 on Duquesne’s campus. It had previously been the Pi Chi Chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, but seceded and joined other more traditional chapters to form Alpha Delta National Fraternity. The ideological split was over Title IX legislation that required Alpha Phi Omega to be cogendered, according to Alpha Delta National Fraternity website.
Ted Klasnick, Duquesne’s chapter president, did not return a request for comment by press time.
