The Hanover Seven

At the beginning of March, the College suspended recognition of two fraternities, Phi Sigma Psi and Tabard (formerly known as Sigma Chi), and put five other houses on probation. Loss of recognition, which probably would have put Phi Psi and Tabard out of business, was to have been effective at the end of the spring term.

On April 2, however, in a sharp turn about, the disciplinary action against Phi Psi was reduced to probation and Tabard was freed of penalties altogether. For the others, probation was lifted from Sigma Nu Delta, Phi Delta Alpha, and Alpha Theta while Theta Delta Chi received a warning instead of probation and Heorot/Chi Phi had its probationary status lightened.

The original penalties were based on testimony by deans and on a report by the Fraternity Board of Overseers, which, by directive of the trustees, had spent a year reviewing the individual houses and the overall fraternity-sorority system. The penalties, particularly those for Phi Psi, Tabard, and one or two others, caused considerable surprise on the campus.

While most observers assumed that action against the houses would stem from bad conduct, in the case of Phi Psi and Tabard the severe measures followed alleged procedural shortcomings-such as failure to submit an annual report-shaky financial conditions, and diminished undergraduate membership (Phi Psi gained two new members last year).

Students, alumni, and at least one lawyer rallied to the defense of the houses. In their appeals, which were heard by the Fraternity Board of Overseers, they raised questions about the fairness of the proceedings and the accuracy of the charges and pointed to areas where reform had been accomplished. Others on the campus professed unhappiness that fraternity misbehavior, a sore spot for some years now, was punished too lightly or not at all and that Tabard and Phi Psi were being made scapegoats.

On the basis of "significant new evidence" presented in the appeal hearings, the Fraternity Board of Overseers recommended that the original penalties be revoked or lessened, advice which was followed by the administration.

Some of the Procedures, we felt, were fairly unfair." Thomas Spencer '81, president of Phi Sigma Psi