EDITORS: Dr. Oliaro will be available for one-on-one 5-minute media interviews from 4-5:30 p.m. at Thomas Administration Building President’s Gallery. Parking available in Lot l (access from Barstow and Maple). Contact Tom Uribes immediately. for a time slot. Original press release detailing the five sanctions and an explanation of loss of recognition is available at www.FresnoStateNews.corn. (http://fresnostatenews.com/2006/01/PhiGammaDelta.htm).
The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity’s appeal of a five-year ban and four other sanctions by California State University, Fresno for repeated violations of the campus alcohol policy has been denied.
Dr. Paul Oliaro, vice president for student affairs and dean of students who served as the appellate officer, heard the appeal from representatives of the local Phi Chi chapter last week and informed them of his decision last night (Feb. 9).
Oliaro said no new evidence was presented to overturn the original ruling of five sanctions against the chapter, also known as Fiji, which was announced Jan. 24 by the Student Affairs Division.
“After a lengthy discussion with representatives of the fraternity and my review of their appeal and the initial decision, I feel there is no compelling reason to overturn the initial decision,” Oliaro said. “We at the university have a responsibility to take necessary action to uphold our standards of not allowing underage drinking and to help avoid the tragic occurrence that was associated with the most recent incident.”
In his decision, Oliaro did provide a window of opportunity for the “possibility” of reestablishment of the fraternity a year earlier, under specific conditions.
