Half a dozen University Police officers were standing guard outside the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house last night.
The group recently formally relinquished its colony status following its fourth policy violation in three years.
During a rush event last month, ZBT violated alcohol policies. Two event participants -- both rushees, according to members of other University fraternities -- were sent to the hospital as a result, said a statement from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.
Penn Police refused to comment on their presence at the house last night.
"You may not access the property at this time," one officer said when approached, citing possible dangers that could result from "interfering with an investigation."
Another UPPD official said that the crowd of officers outside the ZBT house were "part of standard special checks on all the houses."
Several ZBT members refused to comment on the situation, and University Police at the station would offer no official statement.
However, Panhellenic Council President Erica Shmerler was unaware of such a procedure.
"I'm not sure about fraternities, but my sorority [Sigma Delta Tau] has never encountered this in the past," she said.
InterFraternity Council President Conor O'Callaghan was similarly surprised.
"Not aware of [the special checks], no ... it's never happened before," he said. "It's certainly a possibility that there are differences between the fraternity houses that I'm not aware of, though."
The house property is currently owned by the University, but ZBT retains some control over it, according to OFSA Director Scott Reikofski. The former brothers will be able to remain there for the rest of the semester under strict conditions.
Uncertainty surrounds the future of the property, but IFC members are confident that the brothers will be allowed to return eventually.
"ZBT will get their house back when they recolonize," O'Callaghan said. "In the short run, I'm not sure how the house will be utilized; that would be up to the University."
