ATO under ethics review

Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity is under review by the Student Organizations Ethics Board, after members presented to the board Monday.

The review stems from two alleged alcohol violations in December 2009 and January 2010, said Steve Veldkamp, assistant dean of students and director of IU Student Activities, in an e-mail.

The board will then make recommendations for possible sanctions to Dean of Students Pete Goldsmith, who will make a final decision.

“The matter is currently under review and I do not expect to make a decision for the end of next week,” Goldsmith said in an e-mail.

The National ATO Fraternity has been informed of the chapter’s standing with the
University.

“We are simply in discussion with the University about the chapter,” said Wynn Smiley, chief executive officer of ATO nationals in Indianapolis. “They have been on probation and we have had ongoing discussion of the future chapter and status. ... The national fraternity has no intention of taking the chapter off campus.”

ATO is also currently under educational sanctions for alcohol violations of the Student Code of Conduct and is also currently on disciplinary probation, Veldkamp said.

ATO is still in good standing with the Interfraternity Council, said junior Ryan Duerring, IFC president.

Junior Ian Bell, president of the IU chapter, would not comment until a final decision
has been made.

The fraternity had previously presented to the ethics board in October 2009.

– Alyssa Goldman

Disciplinary Probation
“... a serious warning that subsequent infractions of regulations may result in a student organization’s suspension. ... a student organization may be placed on disciplinary probation for a specified period of time under conditions specified in writing by the Dean of Students and/or Student Activities Office, with a warning that any violation of the conditions or any further acts of misconduct may result in additional educational initiatives and punitive sanctions, including suspension or expulsion from the university.”

Source: Office for Student Organizations and Leadership Development Web site.