The Presidents' Council of the Inter-Fraternity Council voted last night to continue to recognize Zeta Psi despite the recent recommendation of the Inter-Fraternity Council Judiciary Committee to remove IFC recognition of the fraternity.
The Cavalier Daily reported Tuesday that Zeta Psi was investigated after a first-year student was arrested for driving under the influence while returning from an off-campus Zeta Psi rush event in December. The student had a blood alcohol content level of 0.22, according to the police report.
Instead of losing its recognition, Zeta Psi faces other sanctions including social probation, a fine, approximately six hours of community service per member and several other lesser sanctions, Zeta Psi President Andrew Quinn said.
IFC President Andrew Paradis said the fact that the Council voted against the recommendation of the IFCJC does not discredit the system.
"It's like any system with checks and balances," Paradis said.
Paradis said the vote "signifies that it's the belief of the Presidents' Council that the sanctions that are in place, aside from removal, will offer the fraternity a chance to rehabilitate."
The proceedings of the meeting were confidential, per IFC regulation, and only the accused fraternity president was able to address the matter publicly.
One anonymous fraternity president agreed with Paradis, noting that the Council's decision to retain recognition of Zeta Psi showed that council members felt the fraternity can be rehabilitated through the lesser sanctions imposed.
During the meeting, the IFCJC provided a presentation for Council members detailing the trial and the judges' reasons for the recommended sanctions, Quinn said.
Following the IFC presentation, Quinn said he had the opportunity to address the Council.
A second anonymous fraternity president said one of the reasons presented by the IFCJC in favor of removing Zeta Psi's recognition dealt with repeated offenses of the fraternity.
A previous investigation of Zeta Psi occurred in 2002, when the fraternity was investigated by the IFC following a Halloween party attended by several people costumed in blackface. The fraternity was found not guilty, as the act was deemed to be within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech.
Quinn said his fraternity is working to improve its standing within the University community.
Quinn added that the fraternity would "use this as an opportunity to educate ourselves ... to further our fraternity."
The fraternity's first priority, Quinn said, is to comply fully with all sanctions within the designated timeframe.
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