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(04/28/99 9:00am)
The Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity will be dry and on probation for an additional year and has replaced its executive board following a visit by the AEPi national fraternity last week, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. "Every AEPi brother was interviewed and his status with the chapter reconsidered," Reikofski said yesterday. In November, the fraternity was forced to go dry for the next two years because of its role in September's non-fatal alcohol poisoning of a female freshman who had at least 12 drinks at an AEPi hotel party. Reikofski said that if the chapter does not make sufficient progress in building a "new and improved AEPi chapter" by the end of the fall semester, there is "a good possibility" that the national will suspend the Penn fraternity, located at 3940 Spruce Street. The University and the national fraternity, which had been investigating the chapter for missed deadlines and "non-compliance" with its agreement after the September incident, are now selecting a live-in graduate advisor for the 1999-2000 academic year. According to Reikofski, the initial goals of the new executive board will be to establish new deadlines and redefine tasks within the agreement. The national fraternity was first on campus March 25 to investigate possible violations and to start creating a course of action in cooperation with OFSA, culminating with last Tuesday's interviews by AEPi International Risk Management Director Scott Cohon. "I think that our consultation and mutual support? though a slow process produced a strong foundation [for a new chapter]," Reikofski said. Several AEPi brothers did not return phone calls last night. The fraternity is one of several that has faced penalties or suspensions this semester. The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity forfeited its charter after violation of risk management and alcohol policies prior to the death of 26-year-old alumnus Michael Tobin last month. And the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity is still under investigation by its national headquarters and the University for allegedly violating the University's anti-hazing policy and the disciplinary agreement that followed the chapter's violation of the InterFraternity Council's dry rush policy at a New Jersey bowling alley.
(04/23/99 9:00am)
The house could be used by another fraternity or sorority in the future. Two weeks after the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity forfeited its charter -- ending an 85-year history at 3619 Locust Walk and a 117-year history as a Penn fraternity -- the fate of the former FIJI brothers' house remains unknown. University Provost Robert Barchi said yesterday that he has received several proposals for potential academic uses of the space and expects those proposals to be evaluated "within the next three or four weeks." "[The space's] future use is still unclear," Barchi added. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said earlier this month that OFSA had petitioned for the facility to be occupied by another fraternity or sorority come fall. "We would like to keep it as a Greek house," Reikofski said. But Barchi did not directly say whether the house -- which is currently occupied by the former FIJI brothers under individual agreements with the University -- could end up being occupied once again by members of the Greek community. He said that until the University -- which owns the house where FIJI violated alcohol and risk management policies at an alumni dinner March 20 that ended in the death of 26-year-old 1994 College graduate and FIJI brother Michael Tobin -- determines a future use for the house, the facility will not be rented this summer or fall. Though Reikofski had originally contacted Barchi about renting the facility to an outside group for the summer, Barchi denied the request, saying the house, built specifically for the FIJI fraternity in 1914 and now a Philadelphia historical landmark, will not be rented this summer because it might need renovations that would make it suitable for future uses in the fall, Executive Assistant to the Provost Linda Koons said. Koons, who is in charge of receiving formal proposals for space use, said Wednesday that no one had formally proposed anything to the University's space allocation committee regarding the house's fall occupancy, adding that people were instead directly contacting the provost's office. The University's space allocation committee makes recommendations based on formal proposals and then sends those recommendations to the president, provost and executive vice president for final evaluation on the handling of facilities, according to Koons. The former Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house, also on Locust Walk, faced a similarly uncertain future last year after the national Phi Sigma Kappa organization shut down its Penn chapter, citing repeated risk management violations as well as pornographic material linked to the fraternity's World Wide Web page. University officials have since renovated part of the house -- located on 3615 Locust Walk -- and reopened it as the Veranda, a temporary student center.
(04/23/99 9:00am)
For the first time in its nearly 20-year history, the BiCultural InterGreek Council and the Undergraduate Assembly will co-sponsor Saturday's annual Penn Relays step show at the Class of 1923 Ice Rink, according to Big-C Program Director Larry Moses. Nine BIG-C fraternities and sororities will participate in this weekend's step show -- consisting of historically African-American rhythmic dances that involve clapping, stomping, cheering and precise dance steps -- which was previewed in a teaser event Wednesday night at the Class of 1920 Commons. With extra support this year from the UA and the InterFraternity and Panhellenic councils, step show organizers are hoping this year's event will be a popular one, drawing around 1,000 people -- as opposed to the 600 who attended last year -- to the eastern end of campus. The event typically draws Greek and non-Greek Relays participants from all over the country. Moses, the show's stage manager and a Phi Beta Sigma brother, said he and BIG-C President Ramon Marmolejos, a Wharton junior and Lambda Upsilon Lambda brother, sought out the $3,000 UA grant before spring break in the hopes of drawing participation from "a wider cross-section of the student body." And this year, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski noted that the Greek system is urging its members to buy blocks of tickets in advance and either attend the show themselves or donate excess tickets back to OFSA for distribution to underprivileged children at Wordsworth Academy, a local youth organization. "[We are] pushing for chapters to go and support the show," Reikofski said. Panhel and IFC leaders encouraged ticket purchases via e-mails to chapter presidents. "This is an opportunity for different [BIG-C] organizations to get exposure," Moses said, adding that the umbrella group, which represents minorities from Penn and surrounding universities such as Villanova and Drexel, currently has 59 members and is always seeking to increase its numbers. Panhel President Becca Iverson, a College junior, said that with the semester drawing to a close, Greek formals and exams may be already filling weekend plans. But the Chi Omega sister added that she is encouraging sorority houses to buy at least 10 tickets. "If people can't go, we do want support for the BIG-C event," she said. Proceeds from the performance will go toward the individual scholarship funds of each of the nine BIG-C chapters.
(04/21/99 9:00am)
The task force hopes to have recommendations by the school year's end. With less than two weeks remaining in the school year, the provost-appointed alcohol task force spent last night discussing education programming as part of its ongoing effort to formulate a comprehensive, long-term University alcohol policy. Provost Robert Barchi said after the meeting that it is "certainly within the realm of possibility" that the committee -- composed of 14 students and seven faculty members -- will make a new policy recommendation to University President Judith Rodin by the end of next week. The committee will meet again tomorrow. In addition to reviewing previous suggestions from its three subcommittees -- including health and safety; responsibility and accountability; and alcohol abuse -- the task force added two new areas of concentration: education and additional social activity. For its discussion of alcohol education, the committee invited health educator and Drug and Alcohol Resource Team Advisor Kate Ward-Gaus to speak for half of the two-hour meeting, according to College senior and task force member Michael Kraver. Kraver added that the group will discuss non-alcoholic social options at tomorrow's meeting. Ward-Gaus talked about already-existing educational programs within the University and about the results of a nationwide college survey showing perceptions about alcohol use on campus, according to incoming Undergraduate Assembly Treasurer Michael Bassik, a College sophomore. Bassik added that Ward-Gaus presented possible alcohol education expansion plans, including health links within the college house system which would operate like the current information technology advisor program. Besides concentrating on education, last night's committee meeting progressed on its recommendations for responsibility and accountability. Bassik said the group decided that health and welfare should be the priorities of this focus area, explaining that in the future multiple alcohol citations may force students to obtain more counseling -- not just pay higher fines. Outgoing UA Chairperson and task force member Bill Conway said the committee discussed mandatory classes as part of its policy though "nobody was really in favor" of instituting such a measure. "We made a lot of progress," the Wharton junior commented, adding the the draft will not be passed on to Rodin until the committee feels "comfortable with it." Panhellenic Council President Becca Iverson, who also sits on the task force, echoed Conway's optimism regarding the policy-making process. "We are committed to coming out with a recommendation to President Rodin by the time we leave school," the College junior said. Citing plans for the next meeting's agenda, Iverson said that additional non-alcoholic activities will be discussed as "fun and acceptable" parts of a changing campus culture and not as "alternatives."
(04/19/99 9:00am)
After just a one-year absence from the University, the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity recolonized at Penn last week, the first step toward reviving the 99-year-old chapter. The fraternity's Indianapolis-based national office suspended the University's previous Phi Sig chapter last spring after the brothers repeatedly violated alcohol and risk-management policies. Phi Sig National Director of Member Recruitment Sean Shingler spent two weeks on campus training about 20 people interested in reforming the brotherhood. The national placed the old chapter's members on alumni status last spring and has prohibited them from associating with the new group. On Thursday, members of the group interested in resurrecting Phi Sig attended a ritual ceremony, the first step in becoming brothers. They had elected an executive board the day before. Newly elected President Michael Germano, a Wharton sophomore, said that in addition to creating a constitution and bylaws for the colony, he is focusing on obtaining Student Activities Council recognition in the remaining few weeks of school. "As a whole, the new brothers have decided that it would be advantageous to register with them," Germano said. Michael Carey, the colony's local advisor and a director of Greek affairs at Villanova University, said that he will invite brothers from Villanova's Phi Sig chapter to help Penn build membership next year. "[I] hope to make their transition as smooth as possible," Carey said. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority affairs will also be instrumental in reincorporating Phi Sig into Penn's Greek system. Shingler and OFSA Assistant Director Tom Carroll met Thursday morning to establish weekly OFSA meetings for the colony where the members can maintain "an open line of communication" with the University, according to Shingler. Now that Phi Sig has a colony at Penn, the next step for the fraternity is to receive provisionary recognition from the InterFraternity Council. Before becoming a full-fledged fraternity chapter, the colony must have 35 members and meet other requirements involving grade point averages and participation in community service events. Shingler said the most difficult requirement in obtaining charter-status by the spring of 2000 -- the centennial anniversary of the Penn-Phi Sig affiliation -- will be meeting the membership requirement. Carroll said OFSA will make sure the colony is "up to the national guidelines" and working toward earning a charter. IFC Executive Vice President Andrew Exum, a College junior and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, said the IFC executive board discussed recognition yesterday and would bring it before the IFC tomorrow. "Traditionally, the IFC has been very supportive of suspended chapters who have recolonized and returned to campus," the Sigma Nu brother noted.
(04/16/99 9:00am)
The fraternity's national office is mandating the move after investigating repeated rules violations. After being investigated by its national office for potential rules violations, the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity has been asked to remove certain members of its executive board from the fraternity, according to AEPi President Dan Tehrani, a Wharton junior. The national office placed an indefinite hold on all AEPi chapter events last week while it investigated allegations by the University including hazing during a pledge skit and missed settlement agreement deadlines from a September incident that resulted in the non-fatal poisoning of a female freshman who had at least 12 drinks at an AEPi hotel party. After the September incident, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski warned in November that if there were any further violations, the chapter would be suspended. Yet in a statement released Wednesday, Reikofski said OFSA and the national fraternity defined the pledge skit as hazing "to some degree" but not to the degree that "major action" could be taken, adding that there were "other issues at work" in addition to the pledge skit. Reikofski would not comment further on the decision, saying only that "there will be steps taken between now and the end of classes" to rectify the existing situation. The Indiana-based fraternity headquarters also declined to comment on the specifics of the course of action that the two parties agreed upon during a phone conversation earlier this week and announced to the brothers on Wednesday. OFSA Assistant Director Tom Carroll said yesterday that the AEPi headquarters is sending a representative to campus next week to examine the issues facing the fraternity. Tehrani added that national representatives will arrive Monday night and meet with the chapter on Tuesday to discuss the details of its course of action, specifically how to restructure its executive board. "I assume they'll let us know how we're going to proceed with our executive board," he said. The AEPi pledges, whose initiation has been postponed until after Tuesday's meeting, could be asked to take a more "active leadership" role within the chapter "immediately," according to Tehrani. The AEPi national fraternity said it will work to earn OFSA's trust in dealing with the rules violations of the past year. "Alpha Epsilon Pi is committed to maintaining a viable chapter at the University of Pennsylvania that meets our mission as a fraternity," AEPi National Executive Vice President Sidney Dunn said Wednesday. Reikofski added, "Generally, I am fairly comfortable [with the national's solutions] to this point but will need to see how everything flushes out in the next week before I can say definitively how I feel about the entire process and the outcome."
(04/12/99 9:00am)
As the end of the semester draws closer, members of the Greek community gathered together Thursday night to celebrate their organizations' accomplishments over the past year at the annual Greek Awards banquet. At the ceremony, held in the Penn Tower Hotel ballroom, the Delta Upsilon fraternity garnered three awards, including the top award for excellence within the InterFraternity Council system -- the Madeira Award -- which the fraternity has racked up for three consecutive years. The Alpha Phi sorority won the Panhellenic Council's award for excellence, while the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity attained the honor for the top Bicultural InterGreek Council chapter. To be considered for the award, chapters from all three Greek umbrella organizations submitted packets -- typically containing pictures, flyers and descriptions of events -- to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and the Greek Alumni Council. The alumni council and student representatives from the three umbrella groups selected the award winners with input from OFSA. DU President Orin Bloch, an Engineering sophomore, commented that this year's award was a bit unexpected since the fraternity had received it twice before. "We're quite honored," Bloch said of the Madeira Award and DU's other recognized achievements. Altogether, 41 awards were handed out before a crowd of approximately 150 students, faculty, administrators and alumni advisors. There were no keynote speakers at this year's event. Phi Kappa Psi and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities nabbed the most improved awards -- which focus mainly on grade point average -- for the IFC and BIG-C respectively, while Panhel chose not to dole out that particular award. Former Panhel President Janelle Brodsky, a College and Engineering senior, explained that all eight sororities were strong initially and did not need to increase their chapter grade point averages. "There wasn't really a chapter who had significantly improved," said Brodsky, a Pi Beta Phi sister. Alpha Phi -- which won three distinctions in total -- also earned the Special Accomplishment award for its fall Career Tea, where about 25 Alpha Phi alumni returned to campus. In addition to the organizational awards, each fraternity and sorority nominated an "outstanding Greek leader." Two leaders from each umbrella organization were honored. The banquet occurred in the wake of several events that rocked the Greek system last week, with Phi Gamma Delta brothers forfeiting their fraternity's charter, the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity suspended from holding any chapter activities and the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity investigated for rules violations. Many people at the event Thursday evening noted that the awards ceremony was as festive as usual with fraternity suspensions and violations going -- for the most part -- unmentioned. Former Panhel Executive Vice President and Sigma Delta Tau sister Liz Bernard, a College senior, said, "It was a night to celebrate the Greek system, not to spend time brooding over what's been going on."
(04/09/99 9:00am)
The Sigma Alpha Mu frat was put on suspension during dual probes. Two months after signing a disciplinary agreement regarding a January 13 rush event that violated the InterFraternity Council's dry rush policy, the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity is under administrative hold from the University and temporary suspension from its national office, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. Reikofski said yesterday that OFSA is investigating if another incident that occurred within the last two weeks was an informal event involving both alcohol and pledges. One task of the probe will be to investigate whether the recent incident is "something that would qualify as an informal event," Reikofski noted. The fraternity cannot hold any chapter activities while the SAM national office and the University simultaneously investigate alleged violations of the disciplinary agreement and the University's anti-hazing policy. The disciplinary agreement that followed the January rush event placed SAM on a two-year probation, including a one-year social probation in which all formal and informal chapter events must be alcohol-free. In a statement released yesterday, Reikofski wrote that the University and national fraternity investigations should conclude by the end of next week. The statement added that both organizations will discuss "possible strategies or actions" regarding the fraternity's future after they have found evidence of violations. SAM President Jason Post, a College sophomore, did not return repeated calls for comment last night. IFC President Mark Metzl, a College junior and Tau Epsilon Phi brother, said yesterday that the IFC will investigate any possible violations of its rules after the University and the national fraternity have concluded their "fact-finding" investigations. IFC Executive Vice President Andrew Exum, a College junior and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, said it is "unfortunate" that SAM's alleged violations occur in the wake of several other alcohol-related incidents on campus that led to the University's crackdown on alcohol use. "Our support is with the SAM brotherhood and we hope that they'll be absolved of any wrongdoing," Exum said. The fraternity's January incident -- at which over 100 brothers and prospective pledges allegedly brought five kegs to a Mount Holly, N.J., bowling alley, charged the alley's bowling lanes and stole hundreds of pieces of equipment -- was found to have violated the InterFraternity Council's dry rush policy. Also this week, the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity faces a possible suspension as OFSA and the fraternity's national office investigate possible rules violations. And the brothers of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity collectively decided to forfeit their fraternity's charter after the University and the FIJI national office temporarily suspended it following a series of violations.
(04/09/99 9:00am)
With their house's future in doubt, FIJI brothers voted to dissolve the frat. The brothers of Phi Gamma Delta have decided to forfeit their charter, ending their 117-year-history on campus, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. "The members' voluntary decision to dissolve the chapter comes at a time when its long-term status on campus was being reviewed by both the University and the international fraternity," Reikofski said in a statement released yesterday. The chapter was suspended by its national office two weeks ago while it and the University continued to investigate FIJI's violations of alcohol and risk management policies at an alumni dinner March 20 that ended in the death of 26-year-old 1994 College graduate and FIJI brother Michael Tobin. The former FIJI brothers "saw what was coming" and decided to take responsibility for their actions, Reikofski said. "The brothers of Phi Gamma Delta have decided to take this action because we realize the policies we have violated," Wharton junior Martin Park, president of Penn's former FIJI fraternity, said in a statement. Park added yesterday that despite the formal disbanding of the fraternity, the former brothers -- who will occupy their house at 3619 Locust Walk for the remainder of the semester -- will "stick together." FIJI had been a member of Penn's Greek system since 1882. Reikofski said a decision will be made as early as next week about what to do with FIJI's former house on Locust Walk. The house was built in 1914 specifically for the fraternity and is a Philadelphia historical landmark. InterFraternity Council President Mark Metzl, a College junior and Tau Epsilon Phi brother, yesterday acknowledged the pain this causes the Greek community. "The [IFC] is saddened and weakened by the loss of the chapter and hope that considering the history and tradition of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity that the national will look to recolonize as soon as possible," Metzl said. The FIJI fraternity has had a history of alcohol-related incidents. An October 1997 incident at the local chapter attracted at least 50 police officers from several forces after three allegedly drunk men were arguing loudly outside the Penn FIJI house. One of the men was arrested for assaulting four Penn Police officers, and another, then a College freshman, was arrested for and then cleared of resisting arrest in an incident that spurred allegations of police misconduct. On the national level, the fraternity received widespread attention in September 1997, when a Massachusetts Institute of Technology freshman and FIJI pledge died from alcohol poisoning after a pledge event at that school. The MIT chapter later had its charter revoked. The FIJI national organization announced plans for all houses to be alcohol-free by the year 2001.
(04/08/99 9:00am)
The fraternity could face suspension for hazing or other infractions. The Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity is facing a possible suspension as the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and the AEPi national office investigate possible rules violations, OFSA Director Scott Reikofski said. While the University and AEPi officials are discussing risk management issues, the national office has placed a hold on all AEPi chapter events, preventing the fraternity's pledges from being initiated as of yet. After the chapter was forced to go dry because of its role in September's non-fatal alcohol poisoning of a female freshman who had at least 12 drinks at an AEPi hotel party, Reikofski warned in November that if there were any further violations, the chapter would be suspended. Both OFSA and AEPi were vague about specific concerns, though Reikofski cited hazing and missed settlement agreement deadlines from the September incident. But AEPi International Risk Management Director Scott Cohon had said earlier in the day that hazing was not an issue under discussion. "That's one of the things that we seem to differ on," Reikofski said. The University and national fraternity prohibit hazing or any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student. Five months later, Cohon said that both the University and the national office are discussing "recent issues." "AEPi's national made a follow-up visit to the chapter," Reikofski said in a statement. "There were a couple of issues that we have discussed and on which the national followed up with the chapter." AEPi Executive Director Sidney Dunn came to campus March 25 to investigate the potential violations and the national office made a proposal to the University outlining steps the chapter should take to improve itself. "I think there are some things we need to fix," Cohon commented Tuesday, after saying that the Indianapolis-based national office is dedicated to cooperating with the University in ensuring a safe fraternity experience. By the end of this week, Cohon said he hopes to have an "open dialogue" with the University on the results of the two investigations and options dictated in the proposal, adding that he has not had any difficulties working with OFSA thus far. "Scott Reikofski has been extremely fair and open-minded," Cohon said. Reikofski, too, said he would make a decision on the proposal by the end of this week. He added that the direction of the dialogue would depend on whether OFSA reaches the same conclusions in its investigations, determines the national fraternity's solutions are adequate and agrees with the national on who should have responsibility in enforcing the solutions. "Right now, we're supporting the national in their actions," Reikofski said. Penn's AEPi President Dan Tehrani, a Wharton junior, declined to comment on allegations of hazing or possible suspension. Pointing to the settlement agreement issue brought forth, Tehrani said, "I think it was a miscommunication between all parties."
(04/05/99 9:00am)
Rather than streaking nude across the Quadrangle as part of their Greek organization's initiation process, the Beta Theta Pi fraternity pledges bonded recently on a strictly non-hazing scavenger hunt. That's because the fraternity, along with two other Beta chapters in the nation, has been selected by its Ohio-based national office to participate in the Men of Principle program, an initiative aimed at shifting the focus of fraternity life away from alcohol and more towards brotherhood and scholarship, according to Martin Cobb, the national fraternity's director of education. The initiative will convert what most fraternities refer to as "hell week" -- the time-consuming final phase of initiation which has in the past involved reported incidents of hazing among several fraternities -- into a more docile "initiation week," according to Penn's Beta President Jeremie Dufault, a College junior. "When I was a freshman, there was definitely a lot of hazing going on," Dufault said. Dufault said the fraternity's 30 brothers and five pledges have been working "for each other instead of against each other" in the two months since new member education began. The focus has shifted from "drinking and partying and getting girls," Dufault noted. The University's policy handbook defines hazing as any activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student. Hazing also includes any act that willfully destroys or removes public or private property as part of initiation into an organization, the policy states. The University expressly prohibits hazing, outlining harsh measures to respond when violations are discovered. College freshman Stefan Ellis, who attended three Men of Principle meetings prior to signing his bid for Beta Theta Pi, said new Beta members "have a good time" but would not run around naked like the drunk members of another fraternity his pledge class witnessed during one of their own events. "[We do] wacky stuff, but nothing degrading," Ellis said. Cobb said he chose Penn, the University of Georgia and the University of Nebraska a year ago to develop the Men of Principle initiative aimed at guiding the 160-year-old fraternity back to its founding principles -- including service, academics and confidence. "In looking at our 140 chapters, these three chapters offered a good cross-section of our chapters across North America," Cobb noted. He added that with a 2.5 grade point average, the Beta Theta Pi organization holds the highest academic standing "in the fraternal world," with Penn's chapter averaging a 3.0 last semester. Beta Theta Pi national headquarters drafted the Men of Principle initiative two years ago in hopes that within 10 years, most of the Beta chapters across the country will be the exemplary standard for fraternities, according to both Dufault and Cobb. Through weekly monitoring by the local Beta advisory board and general fraternity officers, the national office has been tracking the progress of the initiative. The chapter itself will present its results at a convention this August. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said he has already seen the effects of Beta's initiative on the campus Greek system. "The program has really challenged [Penn's Beta chapter] to identify and improve the norms and expectations for all brothers and perspectives," Reikofski said.
(03/30/99 10:00am)
FIJI brothers allowed to return to house under numerous conditions FIJI brothers allowed to return to house under numerous conditionsThe suspended Phi Gamma Delta fraternity chapter will remain under investigation through May. Officers from the national office of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity will continue to investigate the suspended FIJI fraternity until May while an independent but parallel investigation is pursued by the University. Though the permanent fate of the fraternity chapter and its house located at 3619 Locust Walk remains unknown at this point, the 20 FIJI brothers who were forced to move out of the house when it was declared a crime scene moved back in yesterday as "individual students" completely unaffiliated with the Greek system, University President Judith Rodin said yesterday. "Because we are nearing the end of the current semester, and in support of the students' academic pursuits, individuals have been given the option of moving back into the former Phi Gamma Delta house," Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said. The University temporarily relocated FIJI brothers to empty dorm rooms and a local hotel last Sunday after the house was transformed into a crime scene when 26-year-old Penn alumnus and FIJI brother Michael Tobin died falling down a flight of outside stairs. The individuals living in the house are permitted to remain there until the end of the semester provided that no alcohol enters the house, each student pays an additional $2,000 security deposit and administrative supervisors monitor the house and visitation. Each brother is permitted to sign in up to two persons at a time with one of two alternating live-in supervisors, unless family or study partners are visiting, according to FIJI House Manager Lou Antonetti, a College junior. The brothers were notified by e-mail Saturday evening regarding move-in and met with Reikofski Sunday afternoon at the Penn Tower Hotel to discuss the new occupancy agreement. Antonetti said Reikofski gave the brothers the option of living in the former FIJI house under the stipulations of the agreement or moving into the Sansom Place residential facilities, formerly known as the Graduate Towers. Some of the brothers said they had reservations about immediately moving back into the house where one of their brothers had died. "We've had a week now to recover," Antonetti said, adding that the brothers are ready to unpack their duffel bags. Since the national FIJI office "temporarily suspended" Penn's charter pending a formal disciplinary process stemming from FIJI's violations of alcohol and risk management policies at an alumni dinner March 20, the chapter was supposed to vacate its house, Reikofski said. Last week, University Police Chief Maureen Rush said the main reason the house remained closed was because during the investigation of the scene, authorities discovered several violations of the fire and safety codes. Antonetti said he noticed two new doors and a "pretty spotless" building following inspection by the contractors OFSA hired. While suspended, FIJI cannot hold any chapter activities since the national office's probe determined that the fraternity violated a risk management policy. The violated policy states that FIJI chapters are not to purchase and/or provide alcohol to anyone and that if a chapter wants to hold an event, participants must bring their own alcohol or hold the event at a third-party location. The University is investigating allegations of violations of its alcohol and drug policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Once the University and national investigations are complete, the InterFraternity Council can begin its own investigation of infractions the fraternity may have committed during the incident, said IFC President Mark Metzl, a College junior and Tau Epsilon Phi brother. As to the future of the FIJI fraternity and its house, the brothers remain unclear of their fate. "I don't know yet [about our status next year]," said FIJI President Martin Park, a Wharton junior.
(03/29/99 10:00am)
Other organizations besides fraternities and sororities will be affected by rules keeping alcohol from undergraduates. Though it might be affected the most by the University's new policy which bans alcohol at all registered undergraduate parties, the Greek system is not the only group targeted by the plan. What's clear at this point is that the University is prohibiting the distribution of alcohol to all undergraduate students at registered parties -- not just to those who are underage. But the problem is, no one can say for certain if or how each campus group will be affected. While some groups are saying their own parties -- which have never been plagued by instances of alcohol abuse -- will be unfairly affected by the new policy, other groups are plainly baffled by the new plan, unsure of whether it affects them. The provisions University President Judith Rodin and Provost Robert Barchi enacted last Thursday prohibit any registered undergraduate party -- including on- and off-campus fraternity parties, Center City sorority parties and any other registered function held at bars or restaurants that serve alcohol -- from doing so. The Friars Club, a senior honors society comprised of students of legal drinking age, can no longer hold registered functions such as its spring smokers. Friars Club President Scott Glosserman, a College senior and Sigma Chi brother, said his group and other senior honor clubs like the Sphinx and Mortar Board societies have never had a problem with alcohol abuse. "The general University ban was impulsive and not well thought out because it affects certain organizations who have not had a problem with the University in the past," Glosserman said. And during its show season, the Mask and Wig Club has registered mixers with sororities -- which would have to be canceled due to the new policy. No such mixers are scheduled for the rest of the semester, according to Mask and Wig member Rich Hollman, a College senior. But the Performing Arts Council, for instance, is not sure if it can still throw its annual downtown costume party -- Bacchanal -- which usually draws about 200 students toward the end of the semester, according to PAC Chairperson Jennifer Orthmann, a College sophomore and Alpha Chi Omega sister. "We're not sure yet [if we can still host the party]," Orthmann said. And several sororities who have already organized and paid for downtown spring formals are saying now that it is unclear if they can still host their events or if they can get refunds for the money they have already put down. "We have formal chairs who have been planning this party since the beginning of the year.? We do have a binding contract," said Sigma Delta Tau President Amanda Wallen, a College junior, stressing that her sorority is "waiting for the University" to make the final call on whether or not the party is "legal." Panhellenic Council President Becca Iverson, a College junior and Chi Omega sister, said University officials are trying to change "drinking patterns on campus," but that they realize that the problem is not solely the Greeks' responsibility. "Although the Greeks are upset, other student groups are suffering, too," Iverson said. Panhel prohibits sororities from holding social events in their houses, so chapters contract downtown establishments for their parties. Barchi maintained that the new alcohol policy is not intended to punish the Greeks. "We are sensitive to the potential concerns that the Greek system might have, but we are not intending this action to be in any way punitive towards the Greek system," Barchi said yesterday.
(03/29/99 10:00am)
With words and tears, Greeks and non-Greeks alike met Friday night. A larger-than-expected crowd of over 350 people came to College Green on Friday night to pay tribute to the memory of 1994 College graduate and Phi Gamma Delta brother Michael Tobin, who was found dead behind the FIJI house early last Sunday morning after attending a fraternity alumni event. At the vigil, InterFraternity Council President Mark Metzl, a College junior and Tau Epsilon Phi brother, spoke about Tobin's legacy, noting that when the FIJI brother "fell to his death in the center of Penn's campus," his passing emphasized "the fragile nature of life." "This could have happened to you or I," Metzl said. The vigil -- which the IFC planned along with the Panhellenic Council and University Chaplain William Gipson -- attracted such a large, primarily Greek crowd that the IFC distributed all 300 candles it had bought for the event, leaving many participants without a light by which to remember Tobin during the moment of silence held early in the ceremony. Tobin suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries after falling down a flight of stairs outside the FIJI house at 3619 Locust Walk. Friends told police he had been drinking throughout the previous day. FIJI has since been suspended by both the University and its national chapter for violating alcohol and risk management policies and Penn has temporarily banned alcohol from being served at any registered undergraduate party. IFC Executive Vice President Andrew Exum, a College junior and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, opened the ceremony after telling the crowd he needed to wait five minutes for students to trickle in, and closed out the vigil by pointing to those without candles and saying, "this far exceeded our expectations." Pushing aside the controversial issues surrounding Tobin's alcohol-related death, Exum noted, "The only reason we are here today is to remember and pay tribute to Michael Tobin." Engineering junior and FIJI brother Vincent Montemaggiore spoke on behalf of the brotherhood when he read a letter from Andrew Gold, one of Tobin's lacrosse teammates and fellow classmates in 1994. "He had so much life pumping through his veins," Gold wrote. "I still don't believe that he's gone." After half an hour of speaking, the vigil ended in silence, tears and hugs. "It's good to see support like that," said FIJI President Martin Park, a Wharton junior. Members of the non-Greek community also expressed sympathy for Tobin and the FIJI brothers by taking part in the vigil. Wharton senior Marcie Bromberg stressed that a death affects the entire Penn community. "All these people who didn't know him felt it was important enough to come," she said. Before Tobin's death, the three Greek umbrella organizations had scheduled an All-Greek mixer for Friday night as part of their annual Greek Weekend. However, the Greeks canceled the mixer last Sunday evening because they felt that a celebration would be inappropriate following the death, according to Panhel President Becca Iverson, a College junior. The Chi Omega sister added that the Greek system put a social freeze on Friday night to make all chapters available for the vigil. With no Greek events taking place that night, "we could fully show our support" for the loss of one of our own, Iverson said. She noted, "[The vigil] is not a protest. It is not at all related to alcohol changes on campus. It is a Greek remembrance of Michael Tobin." University President Judith Rodin did not attend Friday's ceremony but issued a statement which Gipson read.
(03/26/99 10:00am)
Penn and FIJI's national office placed the frat on temporary suspension Penn and FIJI's national office placed the frat on temporary suspensionA disciplinary panel could vote next week to disband Penn's FIJI chapter for its risk management violations. While the investigations into alcohol and risk management policy are still ongoing, both the University and the Phi Gamma Delta national fraternity temporarily suspended Penn's FIJI chapter. FIJI national Executive Director Bill Martin performed a day-long investigation on campus Tuesday into possible violations of the fraternity's alcohol and risk management policies surrounding the death of 26-year-old Penn alumnus and Phi Gamma Delta brother Michael Tobin. Martin's probe determined FIJI violated risk management policy stating that FIJI chapters are not to purchase and/or provide alcohol to anyone and that if a chapter wants to hold an event, participants must bring their own alcohol or hold the event at a third-party location. While suspended, FIJI cannot hold any chapter activities until the national five-member board of conduct reaches a final disciplinary decision over a conference call sometime next week and the University completes its investigation, according to Provost Robert Barchi. In an open letter to University students, Barchi and University President Judith Rodin wrote yesterday that FIJI's suspension is "an initial step" to prevent another alcohol-related death. Though Martin said yesterday he could not speculate on specific punishments or the future of FIJI on Penn's campus, he noted that the board of conduct's possible discipline action ranges from a letter of reprimand to "an action which essentially would close the chapter." Yesterday, Martin sent a preliminary report of his findings -- which he did not disclose but said he did not think revealed anything beyond what the police investigation showed -- to the board of conduct via e-mail. "Chances are we would not have known about the risk management policy violation if there had not been a tragic accident," Martin said. The national board of directors finalized the temporary suspension decision on Wednesday and then informed Wharton junior Martin Park, the president of Penn's FIJI chapter, Wednesday night. Park refused to comment yesterday. In a statement released yesterday, FIJI international President Lee Moss said, "Even as we deal with the discipline issues resulting from the chapter's violation? we recognize that the chapter members also experienced a loss with the death of Michael Tobin. They [along with Tobin's family] are deserving of our sympathy and compassion." At the University, the Office of Student Conduct is still currently investigating whether FIJI violated Penn's alcohol policy when Tobin, a former lacrosse team co-captain who graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1994, was in town for an annual alumni dinner Saturday night.
(03/25/99 10:00am)
A disciplinary panel will rule today if the chapter should be punished. A Penn probe continues. The national chapter of Phi Gamma Delta has completed its own investigation into Sunday's alcohol-related death of a University alumnus and will release its findings today, FIJI national Executive Director Bill Martin said yesterday. Martin was on campus Tuesday to investigate possible violations of the fraternity's alcohol and risk management policies surrounding the death of 26-year-old Penn alumnus Michael Tobin early Sunday morning outside the FIJI house at 3619 Locust Walk. Tobin, a FIJI brother and former lacrosse team co-captain who graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1994, was in town for an annual alumni dinner and according to police was drinking throughout the day prior to his fall. Though Martin said "he could not speculate" on the possible punishments should FIJI be found in violation of policy, he said they could range from a letter of reprimand to "an action which essentially would close the chapter." If there is a violation, the national chapter would likely choose a punishment by next week, Martin said. Martin said yesterday that the fraternity's risk management policy states that "chapters are not supposed to purchase and/or provide alcohol to anyone," and that if a chapter wants to hold an event, participants must bring their own alcohol or hold the event at a third-party location. The national office is also looking into whether FIJI served minors at Saturday's party. Martin must present the facts gathered from the investigation to FIJI's national five-member board of conduct over a conference call before a decision is reached. Martin, who flew back to national headquarters in Kentucky yesterday after his day-long investigation, would not comment on the findings of his probe, though he said he did not think it revealed anything beyond what the police investigation showed. He and a regional FIJI officer held a meeting Tuesday night with the undergraduate fraternity members to discuss Martin's information-gathering process. Wharton junior Martin Park, the president of Penn's FIJI chapter, declined to comment yesterday. Within the University, the Office of Student Conduct is currently investigating whether FIJI violated Penn's alcohol policy, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. Once the OSC completes its probe, it will turn the results over to OFSA. The fraternity house has remained closed since Sunday, when University Police discovered several fire code violations that needed to be fixed before the brothers could be allowed back in. OFSA brought contractors in to inspect the house yesterday. At yesterday's University Council meeting, University President Judith Rodin said she was concerned and disappointed by the number of alcohol-related events this past weekend -- which also included a state police raid of two downtown sorority parties and the alcohol-related hospitalization of a female freshman from the Quadrangle. "It's not some joke anymore," Rodin said. "It's not some scene out of Animal House. People are dying now. Just ask Michael Tobin's family." Tobin died from multiple internal injuries and a fractured skull resulting from a fall down a cement staircase behind the FIJI house, police said. The FIJI fraternity has had a history of alcohol-related incidents. An October 1997 incident at the local chapter attracted at least 50 police officers from several forces after three allegedly drunk men were arguing loudly outside the Penn FIJI house. One of the men was arrested for assaulting four Penn Police officers, and another -- then a College freshman -- was arrested for and then cleared of resisting arrest in an incident that spurred allegations of police misconduct. On the national level, the fraternity received widespread attention in September 1997, when a Massachusetts Institute of Technology freshman and FIJI pledge died from alcohol poisoning after a pledge event at that school. The MIT chapter later had its charter revoked. The FIJI national organization announced plans for all houses to be alcohol-free by the year 2001. A memorial service for Tobin is being held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Agatha-St. James Church at 38th and Chestnut streets. The InterFraternity Council is sponsoring a Friday night vigil on College Green, and Tobin's funeral will be Saturday morning on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Laura McClure contributed to this article.
(03/24/99 10:00am)
Fraternities will provide guides to advise students in the rush process. In an effort to decrease recruiting pressures on its future brothers and reduce competition among its 31 fraternities, the InterFraternity Council unanimously passed a proposal last night that will revamp its rush process. The major change to next year's rush process will include the addition of rush guides, or counselors, to a system that will be loosely modeled after Emory University's Greek rush. This spring, each fraternity chapter will have the opportunity to nominate one rush guide who will be paired with another guide from a traditionally dissimilar house in counseling groups of about 40 prospective pledges through the two-week rush process. IFC Vice President for Rush Matt Chait called the new support system "a little experimental" but said he hopes it will make the system as a whole more attractive to new members. The new IFC system differs from the Panhellenic Council's rush process in that the IFC rush counselors play the sole role of acting as peer advisors and do not walk the rushees around to fraternity houses. Also, unlike the Panhel rho chis, or rush counselors, IFC rush counselors will not hide their fraternity affiliations from rushees. "The underlying theory behind these guides is total honesty [with prospective pledges]," said Chait, explaining why the advisors will not disaffiliate from their fraternities. IFC President and Tau Epsilon Phi brother Mark Metzl, a College junior, said the purpose of the modification is "to alleviate the pressure of a short rush spring schedule and provide a source of peer support." Chait, a Phi Kappa Sigma brother and College junior, added that while in the past rushees have relied on upperclassman to address their concerns, the IFC will now provide every rushee with that resource. A committee composed of IFC Executive Board members and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs officials will select rush guides this semester. Last night's proposal passed by the presidents of each IFC chapter included other rush policy revisions that will take effect this fall. All prospective rushees will now be required to attend one of several fall workshops after they pay the unchanged $10 rush registration fee. And the IFC will expand the previously informal fall showcasing to include two scheduled evening events, one in October and one in November. Houses within close proximity -- on the eastern side of Locust Walk, the western side of Locust Walk, Spruce Street and Walnut Street -- will separately host rushees on the given nights. The system will also reinstitute a rush brochure. Each chapter will have its own page complete with house photographs in the publication.
(03/24/99 10:00am)
The InterFraternity Council is not overhauling its alcohol policy but announced that it will examine specific aspects. Following the alcohol-related death of a 26-year-old University alumnus and Phi Gamma Delta brother outside of the fraternity's house Sunday morning, the InterFraternity Council concluded at a meeting last night that while the incident should not spur a review of the IFC's overall alcohol policies, rules regarding alumni and brotherhood events would be examined. InterFraternity Council President Mark Metzl, a College junior and Tau Epsilon Phi brother, said the incident has prompted the IFC to begin an "open dialogue" with the University about alcohol policies surrounding alumni and brotherhood events specifically. The police investigation of the crime scene revealed that Michael Tobin died from multiple internal injuries and a fractured skull resulting from a fall down an outdoor stairway after a closed alumni dinner at the FIJI house. Police interviews with FIJI alumni and current brothers who were with Tobin the night of his death indicate that he had been drinking since late afternoon on Saturday. But Metzl said that while the University investigation into FIJI's alcohol violations is not complete, it appears that "this tragedy could have happened anywhere to any person under similar circumstances" and that the entire Greek system at Penn should not be penalized for it. He added that the incident "is not reflective" of the whole Greek system or "indicative of our policy or operation." Meanwhile, Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum released a statement yesterday saying some fraternity members have suggested to her that "they are considering cancelling all alcoholic events for the remainder of the spring semester in their houses." McCoullum said she responded to these students saying she would "support any fraternity which made the decision? to go dry," as long as the decision was made by students. The IFC never discussed the option of going dry at its meeting last night but instead proposed -- and later rejected -- the idea of a three-week social moratorium. IFC Executive Board members said the latter idea was rejected because the group's current risk management policies and alcohol education programs are adequately addressing the issue of alcohol abuse. Many Greek houses, however, are voluntarily cancelling social events that had been scheduled for this weekend. IFC Executive Vice President Andrew Exum, a Sigma Nu brother and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, said yesterday that although the IFC is concerned about the past weekend's incident, it has reached the decision "that our current policies are working." The College junior added that the IFC will hold a vigil on College Green Friday night to memorialize Tobin's life. The IFC will also raise money in Tobin's memory for an alcohol education fund. The fund will be used to co-sponsor programs for New Student Orientation, speakers and other initiatives. "It's been our belief that the most effective manner of attacking the alcohol problem has been through education," Metzl said. He further pointed to the Greek system's "track record" of running safe social functions, adding that this incident "seemingly does not fall in the lines of a Greek social function" since Saturday's FIJI alumni pig roast was a closed event. The IFC stressed that the most effective method of attacking the University's alcohol problem has been through educational programming. "Greeks are doing a majority of the alcohol education for the freshman class," noted Exum, pointing to TIPS training, the Penn Drinking Project and the Alcohol 101 CD-ROM. Tobin's death was one of several alcohol-related incidents this past weekend. The Liquor Control Enforcement bureau of the Pennsylvania State Police busted two downtown sorority parties for underage drinking Saturday night. Also, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania treated a female freshman for an alcohol-related illness later that same night.
(03/23/99 10:00am)
Penn, the IFC and FIKI's national office will see if the frat broke any rules. While police conclude their official investigation into the death of Michael Tobin, the 26-year-old University alumnus found dead early Sunday morning behind the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house at 3619 Locust Walk, the University and FIJI's national headquarters are probing whether the fraternity violated any of the University's alcohol regulations. After the police investigation into the crime scene revealed "large amounts of empty and half-filled containers of alcohol still spread throughout the first floor of the house," the Office of Student Conduct, University Police and the Vice Provost for University Life are conducting their own review of the fraternity's potential alcohol policy violations, according to University Police Chief Maureen Rush. At a press conference yesterday, Penn Vice President for Public Safety Tom Seamon said the University would continue to examine not just FIJI but the entire Greek system in light of the death. "The University will review all of its policies concerning the safety of the students and especially the conditions under which fraternities and sororities operate," Seamon said. According to the University's official alcohol policy, "the intentional and knowing furnishing of alcoholic beverages?Eto persons obviously inebriated on property owned or controlled by the University" is prohibited. Also, the organizers of any social event with alcohol must "have an established plan to ensure that only legal-age individuals have access to alcohol." The FIJI house has been blocked off as a crime scene, and police officials said students will not be able to move back in until the alcohol policy violations investigations are complete and numerous fire and safety code breaches have been addressed. Once the University and the fraternity's national office complete their investigations, the InterFraternity Council will carry out its own probe into whether the chapter violated IFC rules by having a keg at an alumni party. Currently, the IFC excludes closed events, like Saturday's FIJI alumni pig roast, from its Greek Alcohol Management Policy, which is a set of guidelines for fraternity parties demanding that people at the door check identification, distribute wristbands to those over 21 and that monitors watch over parties. FIJI President Martin Park did not return calls for comment yesterday. And IFC President Mark Metzl, a Tau Epsilon Phi brother and College junior, said yesterday that "maybe this incident suggests we should have policy for alumni events and brotherhood events." IFC Judicial Inquiry Representative Steven Fechheimer, a Pi Kappa Phi brother and Wharton junior, said, "We are certainly going to have our own investigation [later] and separately." The Wharton junior added that the IFC has "issued no disciplinary action" and may reach the "same conclusion" as the University and the fraternity's national chapter after its probe. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs refused to comment yesterday. OFSA Assistant Director Tom Carroll said the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life would handle the investigation and answer questions. FIJI Fraternity Executive Director Bill Martin is on campus and will start investigating the scene today. Martin will gather information on campus to present to FIJI's disciplinary board before departing tomorrow for the fraternity's national headquarters in Kentucky. As of yesterday afternoon, the national office said it did not have enough information to know whether or not the chapter would be penalized. "At this point, I don't anticipate any disciplinary action prior to knowing all the facts," Martin said yesterday, adding that the brothers will continue to operate as a chapter until the national office generates a "clearer picture of events." This is not the first time FIJI has drawn police officers to its house. An October 1997 incident attracted at least 50 police officers from several forces after three allegedly drunk men were arguing loudly outside the house. Two of the three -- then-College freshman Bill Sofield and 27-year-old Harvard University alumnus Warnell "Yode" Owens -- went inside the FIJI house as Sofield's older brother was arrested outside for disorderly conduct. Owens then fled through a rear door of the house and was eventually arrested for assaulting four Penn Police officers in three separate incidents between the back of the house and the intersection of 36th and Walnut streets. The incident drew even more attention for what happened inside the house to Sofield, who is now a FIJI brother. Several FIJI brothers accused the police of using excessive force to arrest Sofield. A judge later acquitted Sofield of resisting arrest, and an internal Penn Police review determined that officers acted properly. Owens entered a plea bargain on reduced assault charges last November. FIJI was also in the news in 1988, when the fraternity was put on probation for bringing strippers to its rush events.
(03/22/99 10:00am)
About 30 underage drinkers at parties thrown by Chi Omega and Pi Beta Phi were cited by agents. The Pennsylvania State Police's Liquor Control Enforcement bureau shut down two off-campus sorority parties Saturday night and gave citations to approximately 30 underage students at the restaurants where the parties were being held. Within an hour and a half, LCE agents raided the Chi Omega party at Cutters at 20th and Market streets and the Pi Beta Phi event at Euro Cafe at 414 S. 2nd Street, handing out between seven and 10 citations at the first party and approximately 20 at the second, several sources said. Bouncers were checking identification at the doors of both parties, handing out wristbands at the Chi O party and stamping hands at the Pi Phi party to mark those over 21. When they raided the Pi Phi party, the agents gave underage drinkers the option of undergoing a breathalyzer test or admitting to drinking and receiving a summary offense that is not marked on a permanent record. A summary offense -- which is sent to the student's legal address -- involves paying a fine and attending an alcohol education class. According to a freshman who requested anonymity, the police said that if they discovered alcohol on the breath of a student who denied drinking and opted instead for the breathalyzer, they would write up an additional offense for lying to an officer. The freshman said she was told that this misdemeanor, unlike the summary offense, would go on her permanent record. Pi Phi Vice President of Moral Advancement Erin Murphy, a College sophomore, said the LCE monitored the Euro Cafe party with undercover agents before writing up citations. Euro Cafe manager Nick Ventura said the state police "gave some [students] a hard time" while investigating the establishment, which was forced to shut down between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. Saturday night. Panhellenic Council President Becca Iverson, a Chi O sister, said the LCE cited about seven to 10 underage drinkers at her sorority's party -- giving them court dates -- and shut down the Cutters party at approximately 11:45 p.m. The police did not use breathalyzers but "approached people who were holding drinks and asked to see ID," the College junior said. Office of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs officials said neither sorority is responsible for violating liquor laws, stressing that the establishments themselves are at fault. Yesterday, OFSA Assistant Director Tom Carroll said in regard to both parties that if the vendor was in violation of the liquor laws, it is the "establishment's responsibility." "The women weren't the ones carding, it was the establishment that was carding," said Carroll. Pi Phi President Alisa Plesco, an Engineering junior, said "all regulation was followed" with University and national chapter guidelines before authorities shut down the party. And Iverson said her sorority "followed all the rules" within OFSA, the University and the Chi Omega national chapter. Chi Omega President Lindsay Corbett, a Daily Pennsylvanian production manager and College junior, confirmed that Cutters' "bouncers were in charge of everything at the door." Cutters is closed on Sundays and could not be reached for comment. But Ventura said yesterday that "everything we did was legal" and that police have not taken action against the Euro Cafe yet, though he said he is meeting with legal advisors today. "We were not given a citation at all," Ventura said, adding that he spoke with the Cutters general manager last night to find out why the LCE searched both establishments. Ventura said the Cutters general manager claims Penn security notified the state police at 10 p.m. about where the parties were occurring. The LCE "only comes out if someone calls to make a complaint," he added. But University Police Chief Maureen Rush said yesterday that the LCE is spot-checking "all bars and restaurants in Center City" for underage drinking and "it's certainly not targeted at Penn." These are not the first times Penn students have been cited by LCE agents. In October, the LCE handed out nine citations at a downtown Kappa Alpha Theta party. In April 1996, agents cited 180 students for underage drinking at Spring Fling, and in March 1997, 33 students received citations after a midnight raid at the Palladium. At last year's Fling, the LCE issued citations to 19 students.
