U. proposes Sigma Chi settlement

National office to review plan Sigma Chi's national office and local alumni organization are reviewing a settlement agreement submitted by the University in response to the fraternity's January 23 violation of University alcohol policy, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. The Judicial Inquiry Office completed its investigation of Sigma Chi on February 2, and OFSA served the University's chapter a "letter of charges" the same day, Reikofski said. The details of the settlement agreement are confidential, according to Reikofski. Earlier this month, the InterFraternity Council's Judicial Inquiry Board fined the fraternity $1,000 and placed them on a three month social probation for violating the dry rush policy. Reikofski explained yesterday that he is expecting to hear from the national office and local alumni board on Monday. "They can accept [the settlement agreement], suggest changes or we could reach an impasse," he said. If changes are proposed, Reikofski said he will resume discussions with "various parties within the University" in an attempt to modify the settlement. But if the settlement is rejected by the national office, the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board will hold a hearing to determine the Sigma Chi's fate, Reikofski explained. "Sometimes in the past, a chapter might just be suspended, and there are really no changes," he said. "We're trying to make sure that what happens here is going to be educational and that we're going to bring about a change." After the JIO concluded that Sigma Chi violated University policy, Reikofski drafted a "base document of ideas" for negotiations. The University then worked with representatives from the fraternity's national office, local Sigma Chi alumni, and chapter President Keith Robinson to draft a settlement agreement, Reikofski said. "This process has helped us to really start to define what the relationship is going to be between the University, [Greek] national offices, and local alumni organizations," he said. "The ideal way to be advising fraternities is in a partnership with those three factors -- they need to work together." Robinson, a Wharton junior, declined to comment on the issue last night. The process has taken as long as it has, according to Reikofski, because of the goals behind the negotiations, and the number of people involved. "I wanted to come up with something that was going to be educational and meaningful, that was going to fit the situation and be significant enough so that everybody involved would get something out of it," he said. "But not so harsh as to kill a chapter." However, Reikofski said the proposed settlement is "tough." "It has certainly got some teeth to it -- it's not like they're getting away with anything, and I know that's been a perception on campus." During an off-campus party following a Sigma Chi rush event January 23, Wharton freshman Jed Ryan was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania by several fraternity brothers. Sources report Ryan suffered from alcohol poisoning. Reikofski said specifics regarding the events leading up to Ryan's hospitalization are still confidential.