In an unprecedented move, the presidents of the University's traditional fraternities showed Phi Sigma Kappa the door Monday, stripping the group of its colony status.
"Colony" is the term fraternities use for new groups that have not yet gained "chapter" status. To become a colony within the Interfraternity Council — the government body of ASU's traditional, or social, fraternities — a national fraternity must recognize the group, according to IFC bylaws.
Phi Sigma Kappa received that recognition Friday, the group's president Jamie Bernzweig said, and, by default, became an IFC colony on Monday.
But when the presidents of the IFC member chapters convened for an informal round table later that day, they voted to revoke Phi Sigma Kappa's colony status in a 9-to-4 decision, employing a never-before-used clause of the IFC bylaws that required a two-thirds majority of "council delegates."
Phi Gamma Delta introduced the motion to revoke Phi Sigma Kappa's status, which was voted on in a secret ballot.
IFC President Davey Breitman said many houses worried about Phi Sigma Kappa's members, many of whom were associated with Phi Kappa Psi — a fraternity the University suspended for extreme hazing in 2006.
"There was a lot of concern about the character of the people," Breitman said.
Bernzweig said he and his 27 fellow members, 20 of whom pledged Phi Kappa Psi, had been victims of hazing and were being treated unfairly by the IFC.
"We feel it's a select few [who were unfair]," Bernzweig said. "They believe that because we were subjected to hazing, we would be hazers."
Meanwhile, Bernzweig said he believes Monday's decision is not valid because it was made by the chapter presidents and not by the chapter delegates.
"According to the rules, we're [still] in," said Phi Sigma Kappa member John Blanchard.
Breitman disagreed and said the presidents were authorized to revoke the colony status. He said the term "delegate" is a function rather than a title — which means any authorized chapter representative, including presidents, could act as a delegate.
"Once you assume a seat on the table with your fraternity's note in your hand, you become a delegate," Breitman said.
Therefore, Breitman added, the presidents' decision stands.
"As of right now, they're out," Breitman said. "The IFC executive board does not recognize them as a chapter or colony."
Bernzweig said ASU Fraternity and Sorority Life shared Phi Sigma Kappa's view and assured them that they remain a colony; Breitman contradicted this view.
"IFC and Fraternity and Sorority Life agreed today that [Phi Sigma Kappa] must reapply to be a colony," Brietman said in an email.
Jennifer Stults, Fraternity and Sorority Life's assistant director, would only say that all parties are involved in an ongoing conversation to resolve the dispute.
"[But] typically, voting does not happen at an IFC round table," Stults said.
However, Breitman said Fraternity and Sorority Life lacks the authority to decide over the IFC status of a colony or chapter.
The debate is likely to continue at IFC's next regular meeting on Monday, and the council's regular delegates may get to vote on Phi Sigma Kappa's status, he added.
Breitman said he remains open to making the group a colony, but he doesn't expect the delegates to override the presidents' votes next week.
"I have no preference whether Phi Sigma Kappa stays or goes," Breitman said. "[But] I would anticipate the same result."
Reach the reporter at: andre.f.radzischewski@asu.edu.
