Several complaints have been made against fraternities connected to Cal State Long Beach. According to University Police, there have been two disturbance calls within the past week.
The fraternity house of Pi Kappa Phi had a party that was cut short on Aug. 29 when a neighbor called the Long Beach Police Department for a noise complaint. Shortly after, the University Police were contacted for assistance because they were CSULB students. At both parties, judicial citations were issued to students.
Vice president of Delta Chi and senior film major Craig Schultz spoke about what actually happens in his fraternity.
“We have weekly meetings on Mondays at 7 p.m. at our house, and its business formal attire,” Schultz said. “They are run strictly by parliamentary procedure, meaning there are chair reports and notifications on what’s going on. It’s like a business meeting mixed with fun — just a bunch of guys.”
Still, Schultz said the cops have been called for noise complaints, but managing and being respectful to neighbors is an ongoing thing.
“It’s been unfair for fraternities, although technically nobody is supposed to have ‘parties’ but sororities — and girls in general — flock to frats where they can party the most,” Schultz said. “There are no parties at sorority houses, always at the fraternities. But sororities aren’t risking their chapter by having parties.”
There have been instances where neighbors have called the university directly to report noise. In this case, the fraternity presidents will talk to the University Police to sort things out, but the police have never actually been to fraternity houses.
“When the CSULB Police are called for an off-campus fraternity party, it is treated like anything else. The students are treated innocently until proven otherwise,” said Dr. Mike Hostetler, associate vice president for student services and dean of students. “The situation is investigated to see if the complaint is factual through our police or through the LBPD. Typically, if this happened we would contact the president of the fraternity, or sorority, because they are in charge of what happens with their group. Then we’ll have them come and find if they can defend themselves against the allegation and give their side.”
With any off-campus organization, whether it is the history club or a fraternity, if the event is not sponsored or approved by the university, then there isn’t a connection to CSULB. However, each situation is given a different approach.
A judicial citation is issued after evaluation. They then call the president of the fraternity.
Whether it be alcohol or substance abuse, or noise complaints, Student Life and Development decides if the action is formal or informal. The difference between living on-campus and off-campus does make a difference, which only seems fair. Off-campus students may have gatherings not approved by the university, which makes the connection with CSULB broken. However, CSULB is concerned if there is discomfort to the people of Long Beach, and then action will be taken.
If the individual lives on-campus in a residential hall, the rules are a little stricter. If the resident adviser feels students have broken the rules and it’s not a major violation, the RA will handle it themselves. But if it’s out of control or a larger behavior problem and major violation, they will go to judicial affairs and charge students with violation of student affairs and conduct.
If the individual or house is guilty, and it is their first offense, they will go through the alcohol and drug twelve-step program. If it is an off-campus event, the accused is required to attend an education seminar as well.
If it is their second time, one-on-one counseling sessions with a professional are required on a regular basis. If it is their third offense, the university takes this more seriously and looks into it if the individual has an actual problem.
If it is the third time for a student living in the residential halls, they will no longer be allowed to live there, and may even have further consequences. If it is a fraternity or other organization that has continuous problems against people and the group, it may jeopardize the existence of the organization. If an organization is removed, they may raise a reapplication process so they can win their way back onto campus.
“There are three fraternities that I will not name that have been taken out because of their unwillingness to cooperate,” Hostetler said. “It’s all about learning from your mistakes.”
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