A common topic among college students, RPI students especially, is which fraternity they should party at this weekend. There is one fraternity that has not been in these conversations lately, and that is Pi Kappa Phi, more commonly referred to as Castle.
The Greek Judicial Board convened on October 10 to consider the appeal involving sanctions against Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. “The J-board has made a tough decision in order to keep the integrity of the greek system intact, while ensuring the safety of the individual students,” said chapter President James O’Neill ’07.
According to the board, these penalties stemmed from a set of infractions, including “blatant hazing” during the associate member education period and having underage brothers identified under the influence of alcohol, violating the state of New York’s alcohol policies. The house president, as well as the Dean of Students Office, would not provide any further details concerning the hazing that occurred.
“We know we made a significant mistake, but we are working to change that, and this has catalyzed the positive change that is ongoing to make us a better chapter,” said O’Neill.
The Greek Judicial Board modified the original sanctions issued by the Dean of Students Office to make them less restrictive to the chapter. The chapter will be suspended through May 31, 2008 and after that will be on probation until May 31, 2010. DOSO will also approve a required live-in chapter advisor and have semester checkups on proposals regarding the associate member program.
“The conclusion of the Board is based on the full responsibility and maturity which the chapter, the national fraternity, and the chapter president exhibited following the evidence being discovered and during the hearing,” stated J-Board chair Andrew Siegmann.
The debate on the alcohol initiative originally announced last spring has still not been finalized. This debate is the cause of many problems in the Greek system, many students claimed. “The Institute is too strict on greek life; they need to educate freshman before they become affiliated with a house,” said Lauren Ginsberg ’06.
RPI’s Alcohol Policy states that Rensselaer will not disregard the law and will not shield individuals from the legal consequences of their actions should they violate the law. In addition, individuals who have violated the law are subject to disciplinary action. More about this policy is in the Student Handbook of Rights and Responsibilities.
According to its website, Pi Kappa Phi, which advertises itself as being “America’s Leading Fraternity,” has 120 active chapters at universities across the country. And in many ways, Pi Kappa Phi has shown tremendous leadership both nationally and locally with philanthropy events ranging from the “Capitol Sip” in Albany to their annual Haunted House where they raised over $2,000. Participation in the Victorian Stroll in Troy, by giving tours of their “castle,” a historical site on 2nd Street, also generated income for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Robert Fornasiero ’08 has been active in assuring that Castle remains a part of this year’s Victorian Stroll as well as many other philanthropic events. “Unfortunately we were unable to put on the annual Haunted House this year, but we are still pursuing our regular events to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,” said Fornasiero.
Nationally, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity has been closely working with university chapters to increase awareness and focusing the efforts of the fraternity. In recent years there have been several cases involving sanctions against Pi Kappa Phi, including a BB gun hazing incident where a student was shot more than 30 times. The national fraternity has dealt with these incidents and in some cases revoked charters. Universities in recent years have also cracked down hard on fraternities perpetrating hazing or allowing underage drinking.
It has only been since the turn of the 20th century that fraternities were seen as complementary to the college experience. RPI was one of the earliest among all universities in the nation to develop a Statement of Relationship between itself and greek organizations.
