Sorority releases statement in response to suspension

Posted: Oct 14, 2011 5:21 PM by Liza Sullivan
Updated: Oct 14, 2011 5:24 PM

No more alcohol or partying for members of Alpha Phi, the Cal Poly sorority is on a five-month suspension-- busted for hazing.

Last month, an 18-year-old freshman was hospitalized after excessive drinking. Cal Poly investigators said she went to a party off campus. The incident happened the night after receiving a bid from the Alpha Phi sorority.

University administrators immediately launched an investigation and decided to take disciplinary action Friday.

After a formal hearing on Thursday, a judicial committee found Alpha Phi to be negligent. They said there was evidence of peer pressure the night of the party, which could be considered hazing.

For the next five months, the sorority is suspended from any and all social activities. House members are being asked to focus on the standards and values of the organization was founded on.

They'll have to collaborate with their national office and host educational programs on the dangers of alcohol and partying. So an incident, like the one that happened on the night of September 29, does not happen again.

"There was a dynamic in play in which the new member perceived that it was important to her to drink if she was going to be accepted by the membership," said Stephan Lamb, the director of Student Life and Leadership at Cal Poly.

In response, J.D. Louk, Director of Collegiate Operations at Alpha Phi International, released this statement: "Alpha Phi International disagrees with some aspects of the University's decision, including the hazing label associated with it.

"We will respect the probationary period placed upon the chapter by the University, and will partner with the University to further educate our Chapter members in making better choices in situations where alcohol is present."

Members of Cal Poly's student Life and Leadership Department said the chapter has not been involved in any other reported issues like this in the past decade.

The freshman student was released from the hospital and is back on campus attending classes.