Updated: Jan. 20, 2016 at 11:30 p.m.
Phi Kappa Psi is currently suspended on campus, according to GW’s Interfraternity Council website.
The fraternity also terminated the lease on its 23rd Street townhouse last month, officials confirmed this week. Officials have declined to provide further details on the chapter’s status, deferring to GW’s published list of sanctions against student organizations.
Cocaine residue, a stun gun, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and alcohol were found during an administrative search of the chapter’s 23rd Street townhouse in November.
The University sanctioned Phi Kappa Psi for sexual misconduct, disorderly conduct, hazing, underage drinking, dishonesty and hosting an unregistered social event with alcohol in May, according to the sanctions list. Chapter members gave new members books that “included offensive and derogatory stereotypes and comments” about other Greek chapters, according to the list of sanctions.
Phi Kappa Psi’s national organization did not return multiple requests for comment. Brandon Kumar, who was the president of Phi Kappa Psi earlier this fall, declined to comment on the chapter’s status saying he is no longer the president of the chapter. No replacement president has been announced.
Phi Kappa Psi’s national organization investigated the chapter in November and GW deferred revocation of its chapter status until April 2017, according to the University’s list of sanctions against student organizations.
The University can revoke chapters’ official status on campus “indefinitely,” known as revoking recognition, according to a definition included on the sanctions list. A revocation can be deferred if a chapter completes requirements outlined at a disciplinary hearing, according to the list.
A suspension could be temporary and does not necessarily reflect Phi Kappa Psi’s disciplinary standing with its national organization. Three other chapters have closed on campus since January 2014.
Interfraternity Council President Brandon Capece said the chapter’s standing with its national organization has not changed since GW deferred the revocation of its chapter status last spring.
“To my knowledge, there has been no further action taken regarding the status of Phi Psi’s charter by their national organization,” he said.
Because the chapter is currently suspended, Phi Kappa Psi will not participate in the IFC’s spring recruitment, which involves all other 14 active fraternities, according to the IFC’s website.
The fraternity’s former townhouse will be available for Greek chapters to apply for during this spring’s housing application process, Director of Student Involvement and Greek Life Christina Witkowicki said. Phi Kappa Psi received the townhouse in 2011.
“The University and Phi Kappa Psi’s national organization supported the GW chapter’s request to terminate its lease for Townhouse G for the spring 2016 semester,” Witkowicki said. “GW staff relocated residents to alternate on-campus housing.”
GW investigated the fraternity nine months ago, but officials declined to comment on the investigation.
