Lambda Chi Removed from ASU

[Nhfulmer]

This was brought to my attention this morning.

State Press
Arizona State University
September 29, 2003

National board revokes charter of ASU's Lambda Chi Alpha
Fraternity ordered off campus after 'chronic' alcohol violations

By Benjamin Leatherman

Members of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity lugged armfuls of clothes and furniture out of their house on Adelphi Drive on Sunday, placing their belongings into moving vans parked on the lawn.

The fraternity's ASU chapter, Zeta-Psi Zeta, was forced to vacate its house on south campus over the weekend after its charter was revoked by its national board of directors due to "chronic violations" of policy involving alcohol.

Eric Richards, director of chapter services for Lambda Chi Alpha, said the action was necessitated by the violations and the fraternity's involvement in the hit-and-run death of 18-year-old incoming ASU freshman Jessica Woodin in August 2001.

Richards announced the decision to members during a two-hour closed-door meeting in the Memorial Union on Friday.

Lambda Chi Alpha's insurer, Lloyd's of London, has paid a $150,000 settlement to Woodin's family, releasing it from any liability after fraternity members served her alcohol shortly before the accident.

"With chronic violations of policy for [this] particular chapter, our board decided we shouldn't be on campus anymore, and we needed to make it a less-risky situation by doing that," Richards said.

Richards would not specify the details of when the violations took place.

Michael Najor, coordinator of student involvement with ASU Greek Life, said Lara Klinkner, student activity adviser for Greek Life, notified Lambda Chi Alpha's Indianapolis-based headquarters of the violations two weeks ago. Lambda Chi Alpha's 12-member board then decided to pull Zeta-Psi Zeta's charter effective Sept. 23.

Najor said there are no current plans to raze the Lambda Chi Alpha house.

Richards said Zeta-Psi Zeta was not singled out for any reason, and discipline is important at each of the more than 300 chapters in North America.

"We take risk management and following the law - not only of the fraternity, but the laws of the land - very seriously, and if chapters or members choose to break those policies, we reprimand them for that," Richards said.

Zeta-Psi Zeta members had until Sunday afternoon to vacate the premises, but could remove their personal belongings as late as Wednesday. Greek Life officials will assist chapter members in finding housing, both on and off campus.

Richards said the national organization would attempt to restart a chapter on campus at some future date. The Zeta-Psi chapter was originally founded in 1951.

Chapter members are appealing the matter with the board of directors, and Richards said a decision on the appeal would be reached in about a week.

Chapter members declined to comment on the situation while the matter is under appeal, but the phrase "Zeta-Psi Zeta will never die" was scribbled on the rear windows of several cars parked outside the fraternity house.

[sundevil2000]

Its so sad. A lot of people are upset by this. I really think its unfair to punish a house for alcohol violations, when every house is doing the same thing. Its just another house to add to the list of houses being kicked off campus!