Monday, 7/14/97 National board suspends Lambda Chi chapter for
alcohol violations FRATERNITY: Prompted by deaths, investigators
strip members’ rights
By Frances Lee Daily Bruin Senior Staff For nearly 70 years,
there has been a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at UCLA. Last Friday,
they lost the right to exist as an organization. The fraternity’s
national board suspended the chapter indefinitely July 8, after an
investigation found that members had violated the fraternity’s
alcohol and risk management policies. The suspension took effect
July 11, and the UCLA chapter will have to wait until next summer
to appeal the decision. Alcohol and risk management policies were
adopted by the fraternity’s General Assembly in 1988. According to
the board, the UCLA chapter failed to adhere to those policies,
which prompted them to suspend the chapter. Two fraternity members
– Brian Pearce and Brian Toshio Sanders – drowned during a
fraternity-sponsored trip to Lake Mead in May. Although there has
been no official word on whether their deaths were alcohol-related,
that accident prompted the board to investigate the UCLA chapter.
"It is a difficult decision when it comes to closing a chapter,"
said Jason Pearce, director of communications for the fraternity’s
national board. "The closure is not based on the deaths of the
members – they’re not being punished for members dying," he added.
"The closure is based on current members’ lack of adhering to our
policies, which are designed to secure the safety of our members
and guests." Stunned at their national board’s ruling, UCLA Lambda
Chi members reacted with shock and dismay when they heard the news.
The fraternity had expected some sort of disciplinary action, said
chapter president Steve LaCrosse, but nothing this drastic. "We
felt shocked and betrayed," he said. "We obviously had a terrible
accident, and no one has proved alcohol had anything to do with the
deaths." "We needed (national’s) backing," LaCrosse continued, not
a suspension. He added that there has been an outpouring of support
from alumni and friends since the incident was made public. Other
fraternities and sororities, however, would not comment on Lambda
Chi’s suspension. Adding to the shock, the board of directors told
the fraternity of the suspension at the same time they released the
information to the media. Because of the suspension, members of the
UCLA chapter will no longer be able to use the name, trademark or
insignia of the fraternity that has been a part of the university
since 1930. Current members will be considered alumni members in
good standing, said Pearce, and will have the same rights and
privileges of alumni members when they graduate. "But they may not
affiliate with Lambda Chi Alpha or organize or meet while attending
UCLA," he said. The board may take away their letters, LaCrosse
said, but they will not be able to take away their bonds of
friendship and brotherhood. "We’re going to stay here (at the
house) and live here," LaCrosse said. "Our house has been here for
70 years. It’s tragic that our friends passed away, but … this
house means too much to us to let it go." For the members of Lambda
Chi, the next year will be a time to prove themselves to the UCLA
community and the national organization. "If you base judgement on
this incident, we’re going to be watched by everyone," LaCrosse
said. "This is our opportunity to prove everyone wrong." Aleksey
Kompaniychenko The Lambda Chi house the day before the chapter was
dissolved. Previous Daily Bruin Story: Two Lambda Chi members
drown