The Office of the Dean of Students is investigating the University chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha for alleged hazing violations.
Victor Felts, assistant dean of students and director of Greek Affairs, and Kevin Price, dean of students, would not confirm the reason for the investigation, but Scott Levy, Interfraternity Council President and Lambda Chi member, said the investigation involves possible hazing violations.
Felts and Price said they could not comment on the details of the investigation.
Levy and Lambda Chi President Ben Blanchard said Felts is interviewing the chapter’s nre members.
Blanchard said Felts contacted him two weeks ago to notify him of the investigation, but he has not met with Felts or Price to discuss the matter.
Blanchard said he is eager to meet with Felts and get the situation worked out so the fraternity can move on with events and activities for the rest of the semester.
Lambda Chi International Fraternity Chief Operating Officer Kip Zurcher said the University chapter has contacted him, but he does not have any information about the investigation because he has not had a full conversation with the University chapter.
Levy and Blanchard said they do not know when the University will make an official decision about the alleged violations.
Levy said any time there are investigations of hazing or any other major violations involving Greeks, the University’s investigation takes precedence over the IFC and Greek Affairs investigation, so Price will handle the official decision.
The IFC section of the LSU Greek Affairs Web site defines hazing as “any instance of physical abuse, psychological abuse, or improper obligations, requirements, or time restrictions associated with or involving new members (commonly known as pledge/associate members) or their activities or associated with or involving any improper continuing obligation for membership.”
The official hazing policy also defines each aspect of the hazing definition and lists possible penalties for violations. Penalties include probation, new member bid limitations, mandatory seminar requirements and campus suspension.
Lambda Chi was the only IFC organization to receive a gold assessment level during the spring 2003 Greek assessment.
The assessment measures each Greek organization’s campus involvement and community service, education for new and continuing members, academics and operations. The gold level is an accreditation with praise.
Blanchard said the organization annually raises about $20,000 for the Bishop Ott Shelter, a local homeless men’s shelter, during its biggest philanthropic event – Watermelon Bust.
Watermelon Bust is a week of events and competitions among campus sororities and is one of the biggest annual Greek philanthropic events at the University.