An update on the chapter from Mike Ursillo, Chair of the Chapter and Member Accountability Committee. This was provided to us from Ed Spencer. It has been put out on the Chapter’s Facebook page but you may not subscribe or seen it.
June 8, 2018
To: The Alumni and Undergraduate Brothers
of Eta Lambda Chapter, Virginia Tech
Brothers:
I write to you in my capacity as Chairman of the Chapter and Member Accountability Committee (“CAMAC”) to address the unfortunate situation in which the chapter finds itself in its relationship with the University.
I am well aware of the violations charged by the University and the comprehensive hearing process which addressed them. It is my understanding that the alumni and undergraduates who participated in that proceeding presented cogent and well-reasoned arguments. Nothwithstanding these efforts, the ultimate outcome of the university hearing was quite disappointing; though they were successful in prevailing upon the University Chief Appellate Officer to vacate the hazing violation.
The General Fraternity, through its executive committee, follows a policy of collaborating and partnering with universities in our approach to disciplinary and accountability issues. We attempt to walk in lockstep with our host institutions when it comes to sanctions that result from behavior contrary to the fraternity’s value system. It was our hope in this case that the sanctions would have been less than what has been imposed.
CAMAC is well aware of the all of the efforts being made by several key alumni including your chapter advisor, faculty advisor, and Grand Praetor, among others, to assist the undergraduates with the difficult circumstances they find themselves in. We are actively working with university officials to find an alternative path to the sanctions imposed. We, of course, cannot guarantee any particular outcome, but a concerted effort is being made to convince the University that, given Sigma Chi’s exemplary track record elsewhere, a different approach can meet the joint goals of the University and the fraternity.
Consequently, we all need to refrain from taking any action which might in some way jeopardize the ongoing efforts to convince university officials that there is another path forward.
In the meantime, I thank you for your patience and understanding and will update you as soon as more information becomes publicly available.
Yours fraternally,
Michael A. Ursillo,
69th Grand Consul