The Triangle

Issue date: 6/2/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Melissa Ronan

A drug policy violation reported by Public Safety in Kelly Hall, April 25, followed by an incident at Lambda Chi Alpha, May 2, resulted in the confiscation of an assortment of illegal substances and may lead to the dissolution of the fraternity.

The two events were confirmed by Bernard Gollotti, senior associate vice president of the Department of Public Safety.

"Since the incidents are still part of an active investigation, I cannot release any other details," Gollotti said. "Releasing any information at this time could hamper current investigative efforts and jeopardize future investigations."

The incident that took place at the Lambda Chi Alpha house forced Public Safety to search the premises. The search led them to a room of a Lambda Chi fraternity member.

"The result of the room search for [this] student was positive, validating the information source; evidence obtained included cocaine and mushrooms," Gollotti said. "The student also admitted to past drug activity involving marijuana. During the search of the room, [the] student dropped a small bag on the floor from his pants pocket in front of investigators that was taken as evidence at that point."

According to David Ruth, dean of students, the student "has been separated from the University in accordance with the drug policy."

"When the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life receive allegations of violations to the University's drug policy, the situation is investigated by the Department of Public Safety and those found in violation are dealt with accordingly," said Stephen Rupprecht, assistant dean for Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Members of Lambda Chi Alpha were contacted by The Triangle, but all declined to comment. Lambda Chi Alpha is a national fraternity; their national could not be contacted for comment. However, the Lambda Chi Alpha mission and vision statements can be found on the national Web site. They read:

"The vision of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity is to prepare and encourage collegiate men of good character, high ethics and noble ideals to contribute positively to the world in which they live. The mission of Lambda Chi Alpha is to offer the best fraternal experience, focusing on personal character development through leadership, scholarship, community service and positive social experiences."

"I don't think the fraternity should pay for anything that an individual did," said Christian Pannapacker, a freshman majoring in biology. "The fraternity can't control what that individual does. If the brothers knew what was going on, though, then that's a different story."

"The University should kick them off campus," said Allan Caffee, a freshman majoring in computer science. "Fraternities have been kicked out for much smaller offenses in the past. If the University has that power, they should do it."

The student handbook clearly outlines the University's stance on illegal substances.

"The possession and/or use of narcotics or drugs, other than those medically prescribed, properly used, and in the original container, by students or staff on University property or while on University business is prohibited," the handbook reads. "The distribution and/or sale of narcotics or drugs by students or staff on University property or while on University business is prohibited.

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