CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Board of Fraternity Affairs and Board of Sorority Affairs have imposed sanctions on two organizations involved in an incident Oct. 5 at a Campustown bar.
The “Tacos and Tequila” party was hosted by Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and involved members of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
During the boards’ disciplinary hearing, both organizations were found to have committed violations for which they were charged – violations of the Student Code, fraternity and sorority rules regarding alcohol, and other university standards.
The two boards derive their oversight and disciplinary authority from the Urbana-Champaign Senate, which has ultimate authority over student discipline at the Urbana-Champaign campus.
The following sanctions and plans of actions have been imposed for those violations that were sanctionable
• Recommendation that Zeta Beta Tau’s University certified housing status be withdrawn by the Dean of Students, but ask that action to be deferred while the probation is in place and being monitored by the BFA oversight committee
• Prohibition of new member recruitment during spring 2007 for both groups
• Conduct probation until the end of fall 2008, monitored by oversight committees appointed by the two boards
• Social probation through fall 2007 for both organizations, which means no events at which alcohol is present, such as barn dances, exchanges, formals, etc.
• Development and implementation of educational plans for each chapter’s members, the Greek system and campus entities over the next two years, to be approved by the Board of Fraternity Affairs’ and the Board of Sorority Affairs’ oversight committees
• Development and implementation of chapter new-member education programs for each chapter, focusing on multiculturalism and diversity
In early October, the fraternity and the sorority issued open letters of apology that appear on the Office of the Dean of Students Web site at www.odos.uiuc.edu. Chancellor Richard Herman, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs C. Renee Romano and Dean of Students William Riley also issued statements about the incident, which also can be found on the Office of the Dean of Students Web site.
Additionally, the Board of Fraternity Affairs and the Board of Sorority Affairs included the following statement in sanction letters to the fraternity and the sorority:
“To say that members of the Board of [Fraternity Affairs or Sorority Affairs] are disappointed in the actions of your members does not do justice to the harm done to our fraternal community and to the larger University community of students, staff and faculty. The blatant insensitivity and stereotyping behavior exhibited is in direct conflict with the values of your [fraternity or sorority], the UIUC Greek community and the University community more broadly. We hope this plan of action will set your members and the community on a path of greater respect for others, with civility toward all, and lead to member education that is life-changing with respect to cultural appreciation and inclusiveness.”
This article was imported from a previous version of the News Bureau website. Please email news@illinois.edu to report missing photos and/or photo credits.
