Sigma Delta Tau suspends GW chapter

[hoosier]

Sigma Delta Tau suspends GW chapter

by Jessica Calefati
Senior Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/10/05

The Sigma Delta Tau sorority's National Council suspended last week all activities of its GW chapter, the University said Wednesday. The sorority's president is also no longer with the group.
The National Council enacted the suspension on Nov. 4 to address concerns related to "general chapter operations and reports of risk management violations," said Tracy Schario, GW's director of Media relations. Schario did not elaborate on why the sorority's activities were suspended, and whether the "risk management violations" involved hazing.
Junior Erin Mavian, who as of Wednesday was listed on the Student Activities Center Web site as the chapter's president, said in an e-mail she could not comment on the situation because she is "no longer affiliated with Sigma Delta Tau."
"The University supports Sigma Delta Tau (national's) efforts to ensure that the operations of (GW's) Alpha Tau Chapter are in alignment with the values of the national organization," Schario said in an e-mail.
Schario added that GW's Office of Greek Life plans to work with the sorority's national organization to complete a review of the chapter in a timely manner.
Some Sigma Delta Tau members were asked to leave the sorority last year after an investigation by the chapter's national organization that took place last February.
Following Sigma Delta Tau national's visit and investigation of GW's chapter, the sorority's national representatives compiled a report on their findings.
"A few members were not granted continued membership because their vision for the future of our chapter at GW did not fit the expectations required by our national organization," according to the report, which the organization sent to The Hatchet in February. The report did not specify why the members were asked to leave.
Schario declined to say whether the suspension was due to actions taken by individuals affiliated with the sorority or the sorority as a whole. Schario said if "wrongdoing" occurred, GW's Office of Student Judicial Services plans to investigate potential violations of the Code of Student Conduct.
Kelly Shea, president of the Panhellenic Council, which functions as the governing body for all GW sororities, said she has not received any official reports of hazing involving any GW sorority at this time.
"After the investigation is complete, individuals and/or the sorority can be charged with violations of the 'Code of Student Conduct,'" Schario said.
Ann Braly, executive director of Sigma Delta Tau's national organization, said the chapter is not in danger of losing its charter. Braly also declined to elaborate on the specifics surrounding the sorority's situation until a later date.
Shea said the Panhellenic Council is not handling the issue but will "take necessary action against any Greek organization which chooses to go against the values set forth by the Greek Community at GW."