Fraternity's Housing Privileges Revoked

Committee said Phi Kappa Psi failed to live up to selective housing obligations

Friday, February 2, 2001

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A committee charged with overseeing campus living groups has voted to withdraw Phi Kappa Psi's housing privileges at Duke University because the fraternity has failed to meet criteria set forth in its housing contract.

To maintain their status as residential organizations, all selective houses at Duke must participate in the life of the university by meeting requirements in seven categories: student-led programming, educational programming, cultural programming, citizenship, social interaction, faculty interaction and community service.

Duke's Annual Review Committee for Selective Houses, after evaluating a report of activities submitted in December by Phi Kappa Psi, has concluded that "the group has made no serious or sustained attempt to comply with its probationary contract," said Benjamin F. Ward, committee chair and associate dean for student development.

According to Ward, Phi Kappa Psi was first notified in March 2000 that its housing privileges were in jeopardy after the committee's review of its report indicated the fraternity was not complying with standards for selective houses.

The committee had a special meeting in April with the fraternity president during which they signed an agreement that listed specific expectations that, if fulfilled, would let Phi Kappa Psi maintain its group housing.

The fraternity nevertheless failed to meet the criteria in its contract during the fall, as evidenced by its December report, Ward said. Phi Kappa Psi fell short in three categories: faculty interaction, educational programming and cultural programming. With regard to each of the areas, Phi Kappa Psi either failed to organize the required number of activities or presented events that did not meet stated guidelines. In addition, the fraternity's recent report failed to reflect not only the provisions, but also the spirit of the contract, Ward said.

Phi Kappa Psi will be permitted to retain its living space through the spring. The revocation of the group's residential privileges will take effect for the fall of 2001, Ward said. Housing accommodations will be available for all members who wish to remain on campus.

Unlike many colleges and universities, Duke has no free-standing fraternity houses. Fraternities and other living groups on campus occupy sections of residence halls. Phi Kappa Psi's section is expected to be allotted to another living group or to independent students this fall.

Living groups have the right under the review process to appeal housing revocations to a panel consisting of the vice president for student affairs, the dean of student development and the chair of the campus council. The results of the panel's deliberations are final.
Should an appeal by Phi Kappa Psi fail, the appellate committee would decide whether the fraternity could reapply for group housing in the future.

The only other time a living group has had its residential privileges revoked by the university's Annual Review Committee was last year, when Old House CC, an all-male residential group but not a fraternity, failed to meet criteria in five of the seven categories, as well as related deadlines.

Phi Kappa Psi, established at Duke in 1934, is located in Crowell Quad on West Campus. Forty-five members live in the fraternity's residential section.

The Annual Review Committee for Selective Houses is made up of eight members, three of whom are faculty and five of whom are students.

Written by Noah Bartolucci.