The Office of Student Conduct is conducting a preliminary investigation into a reported alcohol-related rush infraction at the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity.
The infraction reportedly occurred during the fraternity's two-week formal recruitment period, which began on Jan. 7. The specifics of the incident -- including which fraternity members were reportedly involved and what the violation entailed -- have not yet been released.
According to OSC Director Michele Goldfarb, the investigation is still tentative, and there has not yet been any confirmation of the infraction.
"We don't even know the nature of the potential infraction," Goldfarb said. "We're trying to get some information to know whether or not to go forward" with the investigation.
Goldfarb said that the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs reported the violation early last week, before the formal end of fraternity rush. Since that time, she has been working in conjunction with OFSA to determine the nature of the infraction.
The OSC will need to gather additional information before deciding whether or not to proceed with the investigation, Goldfarb added.
Alpha Chi Rho President Jason Belinkie said that he has not been made aware of any investigation that the OSC or OFSA is currently pursuing.
"We have no idea," Belinkie said. "We don't know where this is coming from."
Representatives from Alpha Chi Rho's national headquarters in New Jersey said that as of Wednesday, they had not yet received any reports of rush infractions from the University.
IFC President Conor Daly said that he was unable to comment on the situation at this time.
Last year, the University investigated alcohol-related incidents at several campus fraternities, including Psi Upsilon, Kappa Sigma and Zeta Beta Tau.
Both Psi Upsilon and Kappa Sig were found to have violated the University's alcohol policies, as well as the Code of Student Conduct and were forced to go dry in addition to being placed on probation.
Psi Upsilon, also known as the Castle, was placed on probation for two years, and Kappa Sig received a one-year probation.
ZBT members also reportedly violated the University's alcohol policy, as well as regulations set by the InterFraternity Council and the national organization against alcohol use during a rush event in January 2001. As punishment, the fraternity agreed to limit its social events and increase its educational programs.
Goldfarb said that in Alpha Chi Rho's case, if the report of the infraction is confirmed, there is not a pre-determined punishment that the fraternity would receive.
"There's no cookie-cutter approach," she said. "Our job is multi-tiered... it's really a three-party decision making process [between] the fraternity, OFSA and the national organization."
She noted that in conducting the investigation, the OSC will consider whether or not there was "collective responsibility on the part of the fraternity."
Goldfarb said that if the investigation finds evidence that there was in fact an infraction, it will be up to OFSA and the national organization to determine what disciplinary action will be taken against the fraternity.
