The Omega Psi Phi fraternity is on academic suspension, and according to the fraternity, they shouldn’t be.
Omega Psi Phi was placed on academic suspension by the Pan-Hellenic Council after the spring 2001 semester because the members’ average grade point was below a 2.0. According to the fraternity, the roster that listed the grades was falsified after being turned in. At the end of each semester, fraternities and sororities have their grades reviewed by the Pan-Hellenic Council, if the grades don’t average out to at least a 2.0, the fraternity or sorority is placed on academic suspension and is not allowed to carry on activities.
On April 20, 2001, Omega Psi Phi submitted a roster of seven members to the council. The seven members’ average GPA was 2.02, high enough not to be put on suspension. According to Omega Psi Phi member, E.J. LeFlore, another roster was “mysteriously” submitted on May 25, 2001, that included pledges on the roster who had not been inducted into the fraternity. It was the pledges GPA’s that lowered the fraternity’s average to a 1.63 and resulted in their suspension. Redric Shorter, one of the pledges on that roster, did not even authorize the release of his GPA and academic progress to the council until Sept. 5, 2001.
The fraternity was unaware that they had been placed on suspension and continued on with a party they had previously scheduled.
Charges were filed against Omega Psi Phi by the PHC after they continued to have activities in spite of being on suspension. The fraternity requested a hearing for these charges. At the hearing, the fraternity lost. They were fined $2,500 for the party and community service they had done as a fraternity while on suspension. Omega Psi Phi appealed the decision made by the Pan-Hellenic judicial court, and the previous ruling was upheld.
“They had a fair judicial hearing,” April Harrison, who was president of the Pan-Hellenic Council at the time, said. “The appeal was heard, a decision was made, and that’s the end of it.”
As a result of the suspension, the fraternity loses voting rights in the PHC, has been unable to interact with the student body this semester, and cannot induct new members. According to LeFlore, his fraternity’s credibility has been damaged.
“My organization is not out to point fingers at anyone,” LeFlore said. “We just ask that justice be served. Furthermore, to the student body, our chapter is continuing to strive to exemplify the excellence of Omega.”
LeFlore has a meeting scheduled with Dean Porter on May 1 to discuss the issue.
