Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity has been placed on indefinite disciplinary probation by Student Conduct Officer, Vishenia Huery. Student Affairs staff say they are not able to say why the organization was placed on probation.

In a letter obtained by The Pacer dated Sept. 13, sent to Pike President Jonathan McAnulty, Huery states that the organization was in violation of five items in the UTM’s Standards of Conduct.

These items include: 1.) Conduct, which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person, whether such conduct occurs on or off campus. (Reckless Endangerment), 2.) Damage to property of the University, or an organization affiliated with the University, 3.) Disorderly conduct, or lewd, indecent, or expression, 4.) Gathering of groups of students or adjacent to the campus in a manner which…interferes with the orderly functioning of the University, 5.) Failure to comply with directions of University officials acting in the performance of their duties.

The letter states that, “Indefinite probation means that the organization is permitted to remain registered at the University on unspecified probationary status with monitored or limited activities.” The functions that Pikes can not participate in are but not limited to: formal balls and mixers, house parties, card parties, and receptions, “Invitation Only” social gatherings, University represented activities such as “Senior Day(s),” all Homecoming activities, no “Family Weekend,” “Mother-Son” Tea or any activities of this caliber, all Intramural activities, all social activities not related to their national targets or community service projects. The Pikes are also ineligible for any significant UTM awards such as the Chancellor’s cup, and representation on all “IFC” Boards.

Greek Life Coordinator Louis Ragsdale says the fraternity should be okay as long as they comply with Student Affairs. “As long as the fraternity follows the guidelines set by Student Affairs everything will be fine,” Ragsdale says.

But neither Ragsdale nor Huery would say what the Pikes did to be put on probation.

“I’m not allowed to discuss the situation. The rules for them are different than student rules,” said Huery.

The fraternity would not comment on this situation either. “The advisor, the alumni, and I are working together to resolve the issue,” said Pike President McAnulty.

The letter issued to McAnulty suggests that there was not one single issue that caused the probation. The letter from Huery states, “You were clearly warned by the chancellor and various other administrators that your behavior was intolerable and you flagrantly defied all said warnings with repetitive intervention.”

Eric Wulf, executive director of Pi Kappa Alpha’s national office, says his office will not get involved.

“From my understanding of the incident, it mostly involved university policy, so we have no plans to get involved,” Wulf said.

Wulf said he also had heard concerns that UTM’s punishment was too harsh, but he said he hopes for a “measured response with an educational component.”

No police reports were on file with Martin Police Department or UTM Department of Public Safety. There was a complaint filed on Sept. 10, three days before Huery’s letter, that states the Pike sign had been stolen from their front yard. No indication was given as to whether this complaint was related to anything that would have caused the probation.

The Pike’s file will be reviewed at the end of fall 2005 to determine whether or not they would be taken off probation.