08/17/2023
FL Delta Brothers,
About two weeks ago, our chapter entered into a Mutual Agreement with the University of Florida Dean of Students Office which resulted in a 2-year suspension of all chapter operations.
You may have heard that the chapter was placed on deferred suspension in August 2022 due to allegations of hazing, forced alcohol consumption and recruitment/membership violations (the chapter had amassed a large group of brothers that were Santa Fe students in violation of University policy). Our International Executive Council President (FL Delta alum) along with staff from our National Headquarters, and several FL Delta alums from several decades, conducted a membership review and then worked with the University to avoid a complete suspension. Headquarters advocated for the chapter and assured the University that the brothers had turned the corner on risk management /recruitment issues. Ultimately, the chapter was sanctioned with 1 year of deferred suspension followed by 2 semesters of probation, loss of Fall 2022 social privileges, and a series of required trainings. After the Greek Judicial hearing, several of our alums continued to work closely with the chapter, and in many areas saw great improvement.
Unfortunately, days after the Greek Judicial hearing last August the chapter continued to recruit members that were students at Santa Fe. In the Spring 2023 semester, the University received a complaint with evidence (social media photos and statements) that established that the chapter violated the terms of the deferred suspension by recruiting, initiating and maintaining members from Santa Fe. Initially, the chapter was going to contest the allegations at a formal Greek Judicial hearing, but as more evidence was submitted to the Dean of Students Office, the Chapter ultimately decided to accept responsibility.
The decision to accept responsibility was wise. Had the chapter contested the allegations, it is likely that they would have lost the hearing and the resulting sanctions, both from the University and National Headquarters, may have been more severe (at least 4 years of suspension). We all know that Santa Fe students have been a part of UF Greek life for many years, and we believe that many other fraternities on campus are actively recruiting Santa Fe students, but unfortunately our chapter got caught, twice.
While it is painful to imagine the UF campus without an active Pi Lambda Phi chapter, this resolution allows us the potential for restarting the chapter in 2025 - our 100 year anniversary! Our National organization, led by a FL Delta former Rex and Chapter Advisor, will provide as much support as possible to restart this group on the right foot and give them the tools to grow a well-run, efficient chapter that maintains a good relationship with other Greek organizations and the University and exemplifies the values of Pi Lambda Phi (scholarship, character, leadership, commitment, financial responsibility and equality).
In the meantime, you should know that the chapter house at 15 Frat Row will be rented out to Delta Sigma Phi. We had to do this to ensure that we could cover the overhead/insurance costs for the house. Don’t want any of you caught off guard if you are on campus, and don’t see our letters up – it is only temporary!
Before we can restart, we will need your help. Over the last 20 years, the responsibilities of both the Housing Corporation and Chapter Advising Board have fallen on the shoulders of a small handful of our alumni. We need more brothers to step forward and assist us with mentoring our young members and officers. We need more alums to assist in the operations of the chapter and house corporation (we have so many successful alums that possess skills in areas where we constantly need help: accounting, legal, property management/various trades, marketing, networking, etc.). We need more support to start an active alumni association so that we can provide social and networking opportunities and bridge the gaps between the many generations of FL Deltas.
We will continue to share updates with you as we have them. Please log in to the national Pi Lam website (https://login.pilambdaphi.org/) to ensure we have the correct contact information for you. Please also feel free to share this with other FL Deltas who may not be on this distribution lists. We look forward to seeing you at a future event, and to our eventual return to campus.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Joe Nascimento (PC ’02, International Executive Council President) at [email protected] or 954-663-1699.
Fraternally,
Joe Nascimento
