To: The St. Lawrence Community
From: President Daniel F. Sullivan
Subject: Phi Kappa Sigma
Date: December 8, 2006
I am writing to inform you of a change in status for the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity (Beta Iota chapter) at St. Lawrence University.
Earlier this fall, Vice President and Dean of Student Life Joe Tolliver became aware of a concern with Phi Kappa Sigma and he conducted a thorough investigation. Dean Tolliver received from the Phi Kappa Sigma brothers a statement admitting a series of violations of University policies and procedures in the conduct of rushing and pledging and a plan to deceive the administration about these violations. Specifically, in a unanimous decision of the members, the chapter offered bids to ineligible students, extended the pledge period six weeks beyond the permissible time, lied to the administrative liaison with the chapter and asked chapter members to keep secret their actions.
Because of these violations, because of the deliberate deceit about them, because honesty is a critical and central tenet of a liberal arts university and of Greek life within this institution and because the chapter’s specific actions made it much more difficult for pledges to meet the University’s expectations regarding their academic performance—the central reason for their time at St. Lawrence—I have decided to close the Beta Iota chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma, effective immediately and permanently.
Current underclass members of the chapter who live in the chapter house at 1 Lincoln Street will be provided with a campus residence for spring semester.
My decision comes just three months after Phi Kappa Sigma had been released from its probationary status, and follows a multi-year pattern on the part of leaders and members of poor judgment and behaviors in violation of University and national rules and standards which led three times in the last several years to being placed on probation by its national. There is no evidence from this recent history that leads me to believe a “rehabilitation” of the chapter is possible. I regret the consistent unwillingness of the chapter to pursue with integrity the mission and goals of Greek life at contemporary
St. Lawrence.
