Six San Diego State fraternities were placed on interim suspension today following the arrests of several fraternity members connected to the ongoing investigation of campus drug trafficking and sales.
Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Kappa Theta, Theta Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Alpha Mu fraternities were suspended.
The suspensions are in effect pending a hearing into evidence gathered, SDSU Vice President of Student Affairs James Kitchen said in a press release. SDSU Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life Doug Case declined to comment. Speaking on his and the university's behalf, SDSU spokesperson Jack Beresford said it is "premature to make a judgment" regarding the fate of the Greek community on campus.
"We have to look at the evidence that's gathered as part of the investigation and make a fair assessment regarding those few fraternities," Beresford said. "It is unfortunate that many of our Greek organizations are going to be smeared because of the actions of these fraternity members."
Theta Chi President James Parker said the fraternity is not making any official statements as it continues to seek advice from its national organization.
"The fraternity as a whole was implicated much more than they should have been," Parker said regarding the morning's press conference about the drug bust.
Phi Kappa Psi President David Lee said he was shocked when he heard about the drug investigation.
"I had no idea that any member of our fraternity did anything of this nature," Lee said. "We've always had a zero tolerance rule on any illegal substances. This year, we've implemented a harsher rule that anyone using or selling these illegal substances would be kicked out."
Lee said he was unaware of the underground drug trafficking because of the way the fraternity house is set up.
"We only own the chapter house … the members were in their own apartments," Lee said. "They showed no signs of illegal activity."
Lee said out of the individuals arrested, only one is an active member.
"The others are either alumni that are no longer affiliated with this chapter or inactive, where they are also no longer affiliated with this chapter," Lee said.
Many fraternity presidents instructed chapter members to keep quiet during the ongoing media storm.
For the past five months, SDSU Police have worked with the Drug Enforcement Agency on "Operation Sudden Fall," an undercover effort prompted after an SDSU student died of a drug overdose in May 2007.
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