Xi Chapter Alumni,
By now you are aware of hazing allegations leveled against Xi Chapter for hazing activities during and after rush. The investigation took place between March and June, and the University’s Policy, Accountability, and Critical Events (PACE) Committee has suspended Xi Chapter’s Fraternal Operating Agreement for a period of four years (2025-2028). Acting on the same information, the Grand Chapter of Theta Chi has also revoked Xi Chapter’s charter for the same length of time.
The University’s actions against Theta Chi are similar to penalties imposed on other houses in the recent past. When injuries to pledges are reported, the University is required to determine whether state law has been broken (Adam’s Law, making personal injury to a pledge a possible felony and reportable to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for prosecution). Any alleged hazing is, therefore, treated seriously and is investigated fully.
With the FOA suspension, Theta Chi is no longer a recognized University organization. Cessation of all social, fraternal, and rush activities are required in order for us to be considered for reinstatement by the Grand Chapter and the University in the 2028-2029 school year.
Speaking for the Xi Chapter Alumni Board, we support the University’s and National’s decisions, and will comply with the penalties to the extent of our control.
Most organizations at Virginia that have found themselves in this situation have accepted their punishment, served their penalties, and have had their active status restored at the end of the suspension period. Others, most notably, Kappa Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta, have not. We do not plan to go down that road.
As many of you know, the housing market in Charlottesville is tight and finding living space is challenging. Most students sign leases for the fall ten months in advance. We know that several undergraduates planned to live in the house long before these offenses occurred. The Board has considered this, and also discussed the situation with the Grand Chapter and the University. We have decided to rent to those ten individuals that had planned on living in the house. We believe the renters will be responsible and will make sure that the conditions of suspension are obeyed. If there are infractions, then other actions that bring us into compliance will be taken by the Board, including eviction.
For the 2024-2025 school year, 600 Preston Place will be a rental property, but Xi Chapter will not be active.
Alumni activities are beyond the control of the University and the Grand Chapter, so Reunions and Homecomings will still be held as long as there are alumni to attend them.
The Board is considering plans for the period beyond the upcoming school year, for years 2-4 of the suspension, 2025-2028. As owners and operators of a large rental property in an attractive neighborhood adjacent to the University, we want to look at all options to operate the property. To that end, the Board has appointed Rick Nadeau ’75 to chair an advisory committee to provide guidance on options for the property. Rick is looking for alumni volunteers with expertise in real estate, tax, law, or property management that can assist with evaluating all possible scenarios. If you are interested in joining this advisory committee, contact a board member, or Rick at rjnadeau333@gmail.com.
The Board sincerely hopes that Xi Chapter will emerge from the suspension in a timely manner with full privileges restored.
Thanks,
Mike Jones ’73