Two campus organizations did not participate in Homecoming this year.
Alpha Phi sorority decided as a chapter not to participate. Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity could not participate because of an ongoing investigation from the headquarters for potential hazing.
“While it is sad that these two organizations can’t participate, we are still trying to unite the campus together,” said MaryAnn Grover, Student Government Association vice president of student activities. “Both are a big part of the campus, but they are also still students, so I would hope that they still feel a part of the community.”
Alpha Phi’s decision not to participate came after a photo of one of their members surfaced on social media. She is seen dressed as Jay Z with her face painted black, a practice known as “blackface.”
“We as a chapter felt that we needed to focus on addressing internal chapter needs,” said Tamara Doherty, Alpha Phi president.
The chapter also has not participated in any other social events or hosted a philanthropy week this semester to continue to focus on internal needs, Doherty said.
“We have taken a step back and will continue to do so for the remainder of the semester,” Doherty said. “We really need to focus on just education for our chapter.”
The chapter plans to participate in social and campus activities next semester, Doherty said.
Lambda Chi Alpha was told by their international headquarters they could not participate in Homecoming because of an ongoing investigation into potential hazing.
The investigation started when a student made a comment to an university official about a scavenger hunt hosted by the fraternity where the men had to ask a woman on campus if they could give her a lap dance. The university official then reported it to Lambda Chi Alpha’s international headquarters, said John Hiller, the fraternity’s president.
“We have given the university and headquarters all of the information each has requested as part of the investigation,” Hiller said.
The fraternity had to send any videos taken of members participating in the scavenger hunt, a list of members who participated, and a list of what activities were part of the scavenger hunt to headquarters during the beginning of the investigation.
The list included drinking a raw egg, getting slapped in the face and chugging an energy drink, Hiller said.
The chapter was placed under limited operations while the investigation is pending.
Under limited operations, the chapter cannot host any social or philanthropic events, perform new member education or host a chapter meeting without a representative from the university there.
Fraternity members are waiting to hear from headquarters about what to do next.
“A report has been written and read by the appropriate people at headquarters so now we are just waiting to see what will happen next,” Hiller said. “It is my understanding that there will be some repercussions such as having to do some training such as anti hazing or Title IX or social probation.”
Hiller said university officials are waiting to see what the headquarters decides to do as far as punishment.
“They will affirm whatever headquarters decides to do, unless they think it is not enough,” Hiller said.
Amy Ayres, vice president for student affairs, was unavailable for comment at presstime.
Editor’s Note: Hiller is copy editor for Student Publications. He did not participate in the writing or editing of this story.
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