OU Spring Troubles: Pike

Greek Governing Councils in Baker Center

Pi Kappa Alpha House

A key component of being a student at a college or university is interacting with peers and actively participating in the community. At Ohio University, there are many different options for student involvement. According to ohio.edu, OU offers over 400 student organizations, as well as many club and intramural sports. Another popular way for students to get involved is through the joining of fraternities and sororities. At Ohio University, about ten percent of students choose this route. One of the largest interactions that social fraternities and sororities have with each other and the campus is Greek Week, which takes place during the spring term.

Due to recent events occurring on campus, one social fraternity was unable to participate in this year's Greek Week, which concluded Friday. As of May first, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity faced problems because of drug charges and violation of disciplinary probation. Even though the case of their eviction is still open, the university has suspended their chapter from recognition through the 2014 school year. None of the students who resided in the house were charged; however, it will still have a large impact on all of them (Felser, 2012).

Photo from Wikipedia

While it may have only been a select few who were involved, the main stakeholders in this issue are all the members of "Pike." Former members will now have to find new ways to interact with campus and the community. The fraternity's charity will also not receive various fundraising from the Greek organization. Another stakeholder in this issue is the professional and business fraternities, who tend to get lumped together with social frats. These organizations pride themselves on their reputation, which may be damaged by these events.

In addition to this, these actions reflect poorly on both Ohio University and its other fraternities and sororities. Dean Lombardi expressed this when he stated "(the university is) certainly disappointed, but receiving the police report prompted us to move forward" (qtd. in Felser, 2012). This is an issue that is actively happening on campus and is relevant because it goes against the recent efforts to create a positive image for the University and its various Greek organizations.

Blog by: Zach Heming and Jim Banicki

Sources:

Felser, Alex. "Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity under suspension through 2014." The Post. 11 May 2012. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://thepost.ohiou.edu/content/pi-kappa-alpha-fraternity-under-suspension-through-2014>.

"Student Activities." Ohio University. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://www.ohio.edu/admissions/activities.cfm>.