Advertisement

Fullerton : Suspended Fraternity Can Reapply in Spring

Share

A Cal State Fullerton fraternity that has been suspended and had its charter revoked by the group’s national headquarters for violating campus regulations will be able to apply for reinstatement next spring, a university official said Monday.

Members of Delta Chi “need to present a plan to convince us that the sort of things that have gone on in the past will not go on in the future,” said Dr. T. Roger Nudd, vice president for student services.

Delta Chi, the first fraternity to be suspended at Cal State, has been a recognized society on the campus for 20 years.

Advertisement

Although the university’s withdrawal of recognition of the chapter will last 12 months, Nudd said, “They can begin presenting their plan next spring so it will be possible to allow them to finalize it by summer and participate in rush week next fall.”

In the meantime, Nudd said, the students cannot identify themselves as members of Delta Chi, nor can they recruit new members, participate in activities of the Inter-Fraternity Council or hold any social functions on campus.

Nudd said he decided to suspend the chapter last week after a review of its activities by a board made up of students, faculty and administrators.

“We had been through a number of situations stretching over several years with this particular group,” Nudd said. “They went through a reorganization about a year ago, but it seemed obvious from subsequent events that it wouldn’t solve the problem.”

Among the violations by the chapter that Nudd cited as reasons for the suspension were a hazing incident of several years ago, selling alcoholic beverages without a liquor license and staging an unannounced panty raid on a sorority.

“Fraternities frequently do this sort thing,” Nudd said of the panty raid. “But it is a fairly structured sort of activity, and the usual procedures were not followed,” he declared, adding:

Advertisement

“The women were quite terrified and called the police, who turned out in force. Both the fraternity and the university system got some very negative publicity.”

Richard Thorp, president of the chapter before it was suspended, said Monday that the members plan to seek reinstatement next spring.

Meanwhile, he said, 20 chapter members will continue to live in the converted four-plex apartment building that is owned by Delta Chi alumni.

Thorp said he believed that Nudd had suspended Delta Chi because “of the situation with the city. It was the first problem of the year and he had to take drastic steps to show that he was ready to play hardball with the fraternities.”

“I didn’t think it was fair at first, but in light of the situation with the city, I guess I think it’s fair,” he added.

There have been disputes in the past with residents living near the fraternity houses. They have complained to both the university and the city about parking problems and disturbances.

Advertisement

Thorp said he didn’t think Delta Chi was worse than any of the other fraternities. “They’re the same as us. It’s just that we happen to be the ones who got caught,” he said.

Advertisement