The Inter-Fraternity Council's week long investigation of Kappa Alpha and Zeta Psi fraternities, pertaining to the racially offensive costumes portrayed at a fraternity-sponsored Halloween party, may end today.
The two fraternities were suspended from the council last week after the IFC learned of photographs from the party that showed guests dressed in blackface.
Zach Terwilliger, IFC vice president for judiciary, said the investigation is almost completed.
"The investigation of Kappa Alpha has been completed and the report is finished," Terwilliger said, adding that "the report is 90 percent finished for Zeta Psi, we're just waiting for a statement from one individual."
He said once the reports are completed he will submit them to IFC President Phil Trout, most likely sometime this afternoon.
Once Trout receives the reports, he will then decide whether to hold trials or to convene hearing panels for the two fraternities.
If either fraternity claims responsibility for the offensive actions, it could face a hearing panel instead of going to trial, which is a lengthier process.
Trout said he could not speculate on likely punishments in this specific case, but said there is a wide variety of punishment options.
"Punishments range from admonition to social probation to community service," he said.
Aaron Laushway, assistant dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life, said he was pleased with the IFC's investigation.
"I understand both fraternities have cooperated fully," Laushway said. "I trust the IFC judiciary committee to adjudicate the findings of their investigation."
The Inter-Sorority Council also is investigating two sororities, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta, both of which had members at the party.
Angie Payne, ISC vice president for judiciary, would not comment on the status of the investigations.
"The ISC is looking into the sororities that were involved in this incident, but all our investigations remain confidential," Payne said.
University President John T. Casteen III sent a statement to students, faculty and staff this weekend, in which he admonished the groups involved in the incident as acting contrary to the University's attempt to overcome harmful elements of its past race relations. Casteen noted that, while blacks were excluded from the University until 1950, much progress has been made since that time.
Michael Dunkley, co-chairman of the Black Fraternal Council, said he was eager for the investigation to conclude, but felt it was important to consider all available evidence despite the time involved.
"As always, there is a call for justice to be instant, but we've let the process run its course and hopefully it can be expedited," Dunkley said.
He said there is a need for greater administrative support of diversity education.
"They need to implement diversity as a core value, and to do so not just in words but in action through classes and workshops," he said.
Rowland Webb, who serves as BFC co-chairman with Dunkley, said the burden of education falls on students as well.
"I don't know what exactly the administration can do," Webb said. "We hold forums, but it's just a matter of people being willing to come to them. If people aren't willing to be educated than there's not much anyone can do to educate them. Effort is there, participation is not."
University spokeswoman Louise Dudley said she hopes the community at large, including potential students and their families, will look to the responses of student groups when judging the University in the wake of this incident.
"Hopefully, the way students will deal with the issue will speak for itself," Dudley said.
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