To:          The St. Lawrence Community

From:        President Daniel F. Sullivan

Subject:     Beta Theta Pi

Date:        February 28, 2003

I write to inform the campus community that the University has suspended
recognition of Beta Theta Pi as a student organization, pending further
review of the incidents described below. Concurrently, the national Beta
Theta Pi leadership has suspended the chapter’s charter and will begin
its own investigation of violations of the fraternity’s code of
standards.

In recent weeks, two incidents took place that involved two members of
the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.  The first incident took place at the Beta
Theta Pi chapter house and involved physical assault between two
students. The second incident, off campus, involved harassment by a
student of a fellow student. The University’s response to those
incidents was informed by an investigation conducted cooperatively by
St. Lawrence Security and Safety Department, the coordinator of the
advocates program, and Canton Police Department. Subsequent to this
investigation of these two events, which resulted in disciplinary
sanctions according to our Student Code of Conduct, we have new
information that has caused us to open an inquiry about drug and alcohol
violations at the Beta Theta Pi University residence.

Suspended recognition means that until the campus and national
investigations are concluded, the members of Beta Theta Pi may not
represent the University in any way as a student organization.

The investigations will be thorough.  We will keep you apprised of
further action.


Back To News Releases
Back to St. Lawrence Homepage