The Greek Activities Review Panel ruled to suspend Sigma Alpha Epsilon from the Interfraternity Council for the remainder of the semester and upheld the fraternity’s social probation penalty. This will extend SAE’s probation period to next January.

The Social Responsibility Committee, which enforces the Greek social policy by making rounds at parties, placed SAE — already on probation for violating the social policy last semester — on an additional 15 weeks of social probation for its continued negligence of IFC’s social policy. SAE appealed the decision, resulting in last Thursday’s GARP trial.

IFC Vice President of Public Relations Jon Krasnov said the GARP suspension decision stems from SAE’s recent violations of the Greek social policy and of the IFC constitution but said he could not disclose the specific details of these violations.

“This decision is one of the strongest rulings GARP has made in recent history,” Krasnov said.

He added that the suspension of SAE from IFC has been reported to SAE’s national headquarters.

Because of the suspension, SAE has lost voting rights in IFC. Part of GARP’s verdict also requires SAE to make a public statement of admonishment at an IFC meeting in which it admits it was at fault.

SAE president Paul Mezan said the fraternity’s violations resulted from the Greek community’s difficult transition to the newly revised social policies.

“The sanctions that have been placed on us are a result of some of the confusion and misunderstandings that inevitably result from such dramatic changes,” Mezan said.

“While we ardently disagree with the ruling of GARP, we will adhere to their decision, and we will continue to take measures to strengthen our chapter and the greater Greek Community.”

Krasnov emphasized that the ruling does not change SAE’s accountability and the fraternity will remain under the jurisdiction of all IFC and Greek policies throughout the suspension.

“If SAE were to violate any policy again while under suspension,” Krasnov said, “the appropriate body will go forth with the situation in the same way as any other violation.”

The GARP board — which is headed by the IFC executive vice president, the Panhellenic judicial vice president and an elected body of justices from the IFC, Panhel, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council — conducts trials and imposes sanctions for all violations of Greek social, recruitment and hazing policies.

In this situation, GARP’s power does not extend beyond a suspension term of one year and a recommendation of expulsion to the IFC. Krasnov said that no such recommendation for expulsion of SAE has been made to the council. Additionally, when the initial suspension period concludes at the end of the semester, a hearing will be held to determine if SAE should be allowed re-admittance into IFC.

IFC president Michael Caplan said he hopes SAE’s suspension will ultimately prove to be a positive influence on the fraternity.

“I hope the gentlemen of SAE take this as an opportunity to improve themselves and come back at the completion of their suspension as a stronger and more cohesive fraternity,” Caplan said. “I expect their leadership … to re-examine the way they operate and I expect to continue to work with (them) this semester and find the best way that the Interfraternity Council can help.”

At an IFC meeting held last night, the GARP decision was released to the members of the Greek community.

“The presidents were fully supportive of the GARP hearing and committed to working with the executive board (of IFC) and SAE to bring them back to the council in the fall,” Krasnov said.