The Brown & White

In an appeals process last Wednesday, Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity was granted permission to undergo a new trial while Beta Theta Pi fraternity was denied, according to presidents Joe Rosen, '09 and Andrew Edmonds, '09, respectively.

Both fraternities were closed by the administration last month after being found guilty of hazing. According to the original sanctions, Beta can apply to reinstate in 10 years and Sammy in four years.

Charge against the fraternities came after two Beta Theta Pi pledges were hospitalized with near-lethal BACs after a pledge event in February and Sammy had a rush event where rushees drank alcohol and played drinking games,

Sammy will have another chance to prove its position to the committee of discipline in a new trial, since its appeal was successful, Rosen said.

"We were very pleased we were granted a new trial," Rosen said. "We are grateful for all the support we have gotten on campus."

Beta was not granted a new trial.

Edmonds said the fraternity members are very upset about the decision.

"The university sent mixed signals about what they care about," Edmonds said. "It was the most incompetent display of professionalism I've ever seen."

The fraternity is no longer recognized on campus and is withstanding a 10 year suspension, Edmonds said.

In reaction to what happened to Sammy, Edmonds said he didn't believe the university was abiding by its code of conduct if it lessens the sanctions against Sammy.

"The code of conduct says any form of hazing that puts someone in as situation should result in a four-year minimum suspension of the organization," Edmonds said. "I don't see how that would not be followed. I feel like the university isn't following their own code of conduct."

According to Edmonds, the brothers of Beta will move off-campus next year but will remain active alumni members through communication with other alumni and weekend reunions.

The university found Beta responsible for hazing because alcohol was present, he said.

Edmonds said Beta Theta Pi has positively evolved throughout his time at Lehigh.

"Our chapter is a much better example of what a fraternity should be," he said. "It is unfortunate the entire thing has ended because of a celebration. I acknowledge that things did get out of hand, but it is a really unfortunate situation."

Edmonds said he thinks the university investigation was inaccurate and the sanction presented some misleading information.

Edmonds said the brothers of Beta Theta Pi were honest about the events that occurred.

"When I came to college, I didn't think I was much of a leader, and here I am leading a group of people," Edmonds said. "It was really an eye-opening experience."

Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Tim Wilkinson and Dean of Students Chris Mulvihill were contacted but were unable to comment on either the Sammy or Beta decisions.