The executive director of Phi Kappa Sigma’s international headquarters is investigating whether the fraternity violated their “substance-free” policy after Gorham Police summonsed nine people for alcohol-relation violations at a party on April 16.
Police summonsed eight people for underage drinking. They also issued one to Phi Kappa Sigma chapter president Brian Longfellow for furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol – a class D misdemeanor that carries a minimum fine of $500.
Gorham Police responded to a complaint of underage drinking at Phi Kappa Sigma’s house at 27 Preble Street at around 12:20 a.m. on April 16.
Phi Kappa Sigma International Fraternity Executive Director Hamilton ‘Toby’ Smith came to Gorham the week following the party to investigate if their substance-free policy was violated. According the international fraternity’s Risk Management Policy, no alcohol may be present on chapter property at any time. Phi Kappa Sigma’s policy states that any violation in policy will result in disciplinary action and loss of insurance coverage.
“We’re up here interviewing the brothers to see what happened and why it happened,” said Smith. He finished the interviews last Friday but said it was still too early to know what punishment the chapter could face. Smith will be meeting with Assistant Dean of Student Life Chris O’Connor and Dean of Student Life Joe Austin this week to discuss what action will be taken by the university and the fraternity’s international headquarters.
“[Smith] requested he meet with the administration regarding the future of the chapter,” said O’Connor.
The USM Office of Community Standards will be investigating to see if the fraternity violated the Student Code of Conduct, specifically the new behavioral guidelines established this past fall for off-campus student organizations.
The behavioral guidelines require the fraternities to let USM and Gorham Police, as well as university officials and neighbors know if they plan to host a party. O’Connor said last Wednesday that he was not aware of any effort by the fraternity to announce the event in advance.