The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., regional headquarters suspended its University chapter last week for violating its intake process.
Chapter adviser Roderick Smothers said he was not at liberty to give the details of the violation. However, Victor Felts, assistant dean of students and director of Greek Affairs, said members violated the two-week process of interviewing and inducting potential members by interviewing someone without contacting regional advisers.
Felts said the Office of Greek Affairs received a letter from the regional headquarters outlining the chapter’s suspension until fall 2003.
Along with the suspension, members must attend state and regional conferences, complete 40 hours of community service and participate in chapter management seminars on hazing, etiquette, protocol, etc.
The chapter also is suspended from participation in Greek events, such as step shows and social events, Felts said.
“They cannot represent or meet in the name of Alpha Phi Alpha,” Felts said.
The suspension also mandates the president, vice-president and director of the intake process cannot hold an office with the fraternity until 2004. The chapter also cannot recruit new members until 2005.
Smothers said when a chapter cannot take in new members, it does not allow new blood into the organization.
“Not bringing in new ideas and new leadership can seriously hurt an organization,” Smothers said.
The regional headquarters placed the fraternity on suspension during summer 1999 for the same violation.
Smothers said normally a more extensive punishment exists for repeat violations, such as longer suspension or the loss of its charter. He said he could not say why a harsher punishment was not rendered this time.
The fraternity did not violate any University policy, Felts said. The regional headquarters was the only one to take action against the fraternity.
Jay Vaughn, Alpha Phi Alpha housing corporation president, said once the fraternity is suspended, the housing corporation does not allow members to live in the house. Residential Life also requires the same agreement, Vaughn said.
Smothers said he is waiting for the official word from Residential Life about the housing situation.
When the suspension is lifted, Vaughn said new members will move into the house. Old members will have to reapply to live in the house but will not be guaranteed a spot.
“If they have broken laws, we do not want them back in the house,” Vaughn said.
Vaughn said the housing corporation will take this suspension as an opportunity to renovate the house.