Two More Fraternities Sanctioned Alpha Kappa Lambda, Sigma Phi Epsilon Penalized In WSU Alcohol, Riot Inquiry

Washington State University’s investigation of last May’s student riot has unearthed evidence of alcohol violations by two more fraternities.

The violations were discovered this summer as WSU student-conduct officers investigated fraternity involvement in the May 3 party-turned-riot.

Kappa Sigma and Phi Kappa Tau were sanctioned by the university earlier this month for coordinating the purchase of three beer kegs for the party at the Golf Patrons Only house.

On Friday, the university’s Interfraternity Council Tribunal announced sanctions against Alpha Kappa Lambda and Sigma Phi Epsilon for falsifying keg registrations and hosting a party the night before the riot. To purchase a keg, the name and address of the purchaser must be disclosed, as well as the location where the beer is going to be consumed.

The party was at an off-campus “live-out” house, a private residence where older fraternity members reside.

Both fraternities must pay $250 fines and participate in the university’s alcohol-control program. They also were placed on probation for a year.

WSU allows alcohol on campus only in the rooms of drinking-age students, as long as no social events are taking place in the building.

“I explained to them why and they said ‘OK.’ They thought (the sanctions) were fair,” said Mark Miller, IFC tribunal chairman.

The fraternities on probation will face closer scrutiny this year. Any further violations could prompt intervention by the university or the chapters’ national headquarters.

Two other fraternities originally put on notice for possible sanctions by WSU - Lambda Chi Alpha and Alpha Gamma Rho - were cleared of any misconduct Friday.

Alpha Gamma Rho was being investigated for a pinning celebration during which two kegs were purchased by an older member and consumed off-campus.

Because there was no organized involvement by the chapter, few fraternity members attended, and there were never more than 25 people at the event at one time, the tribunal decided the event did not meet the definition of a “party,” according to WSU’s alcohol policy.

Lambda Chi Alpha was accused of providing alcohol to incoming fraternity members who were not of drinking age, but the allegation was refuted by those members, parents and others, according to WSU’s Greek Affairs office.

In a related development, officials from Phi Kappa Tau’s national headquarters informed WSU in an Aug. 13 letter that they plan to revoke and suspend memberships to further sanction the Pullman chapter.

On Aug. 14, WSU issued sanctions against Phi Kappa Tau and Kappa Sigma that included requiring a live-in adviser to monitor activities, $1,000 fines, 600 hours of community service and nine educational projects over the next two years.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon received similar but lesser sanctions, including a $500 fine and 200 hours of community service.

All three fraternities are prohibited from having alcohol on their premises at any time during the 1998-1999 school year.