West Virginia University notified Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity Tuesday (Jan. 23) of an interim suspension — effective immediately — following allegations of failures within the organization to monitor underage alcohol consumption during a registered event on the night of Jan. 12.
The alleged behavior “endangered fellow students as well as members of the Morgantown community and does not align with the values set forth in West Virginia University’s Campus Student Code,” according to a letter from the WVU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities sent to Lambda Chi Alpha, a University-recognized fraternity located on North High Street.
The claims include four alleged violations of the WVU Main Campus Student Code of Conduct:
· Prohibited alcohol related conduct — Failure of a student organization to take all the necessary steps to ensure that no person under the legal drinking age is provided alcoholic beverages at a function it sponsors or within any property or transportation it owns, operates or rents.
· Aiding, abetting, assisting, or facilitating prohibited behavior —To be actively associated with or actively encouraging another person or persons whose behavior is in violation of this Campus Student Code, University policy, or the law.
· Endangerment — Endangerment means engaging in conduct that endangers the health or safety of any person or causes a reasonable person to fear for his/her/their safety or the safety of another.
· Abuse of the Campus Student Code — Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information at any point in the student conduct process.
The interim suspension will remain in effect until the allegations are addressed through a formal hearing or other disposition.
During the interim suspension, members of the Lambda Chi Alpha Iota Lambda chapter are, among other sanctions, prohibited from participating in, attending or organizing social functions as a chapter, or hosting or co-hosting social activities at another location. All recruitment and new member class programs are also suspended immediately.
Lambda Chi Alpha has five days to request a review and reconsideration of the sanctions.
Review the current status of fraternity and sorority chapters at WVU.
Visit safety.wvu.edu for more safety resources. Additional resources are available at greeklife.wvu.edu.
A Community Notice is part of the WVU three-tiered emergency notification system used to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.
-WVU-
UR/01/23/24
MEDIA CONTACT: April Kaull
Executive Director of Communications
University Relations
304-293-3990; April.Kaull@mail.wvu.edu
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