Theta Xi party tops concern list of nat'l

A raucous Theta Xi party last month topped a list of concerns that led the fraternity's national organization to order the University's chapter to cease operations, the national executive director said Friday. James Vredenburgh said that the October 24 party, at which a number of windows were broken, added to other concerns such as the way in which chapter meetings and social activities were conducted, the maintenance of the house and its lack of involvement in national conventions and enrichment programs. The decision to suspend the chapter's activities comes after the national governing body reviewed Theta Xi's operations and activities and found them "incompatible with the Fraternity's policies and beliefs," according to a statement issued by the national organization. Theta Xi brothers will be forced to vacate their house at 3643 Locust Walk by the end of the semester and assume early alumni status, the statement reads. According to a police report, University Police arrived at the party after hearing glass breaking. When they examined the Theta Xi house, they found about three hundred students present and counted eighteen broken windows. While an officer was speaking outside the house with an individual claiming to be Theta Xi President Philip Woods, Theta Xi alumnus Christopher Ohl threw a beer can through the front window and smashed it, the report said. The officers then decided to "shut down" the party because of the incident, as well as "the overcrowded condition and for the safety and well-being of others in and outside the house," according to the report. Police recommended that the Judicial Inquiry Officer and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs be notified of the poor condition of the house, and that the house be "banned" from holding any more parties for the rest of the school year. The national's displeasure with the party, along with what they considered the chapter's unwillingness to cooperate with a plan to reorganize the chapter, induced the national to halt the chapter's activities, Vredenburgh said. Larry Moneta, associate vice provost for university life, said that OFSA initially began investigating the fraternity for alleged hazing incidents in the spring of 1991. Although OFSA had been unable to acquire any evidence of hazing, Moneta said, the office subsequently notified the national of the allegations. Vredenburgh said the national then began an independent investigation of the University's chapter. During the probe, he said, the national grew dissatisfied with Theta Xi's practices and worked with OFSA and local alumni to form a reorganization plan for the fraternity. David Auten, Theta Xi alumnus and a University Trustee, said the national hopes to recolonize in the fall of 1994 with entirely new members. Meanwhile, Auten said the Theta Xi Housing Corporation is considering renovations to the house, but added that negotiations between the University and alumni are still underway. Theta Xi President Dean Filipowicz did not return several phone messages last week.