Earlier this week, charges against the Tau Sigma Lambda (TSL) Fraternity became public.

The charges, brought by the Office of Student Affairs, are for violations of both TSL’s Charter and the Student Code. Charter violations include holding initiation activities after spring break and without their faculty advisor present. Student Code violations include violation of the alcohol policy, lewd conduct, and hazing.

The violations were said to have occurred during TSL’s Halona Retreat. The retreat, which occurred during the weekend of April 2, is an annual event which TSL claims is designed to increase moral and group unity. Numerous allegations, however, have besmirched this image.

In an exclusive interview with members of the group who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Halona Retreat was described as a "sick, hedonistic fantasy. There was beer, very cheap beer, everywhere."

"We joined the group at the beginning of the semester," said one member, "but we were not truly initiated until the trip to Halona in early April."

"They called it a retreat," added another initiate. "But retreats are supposed to be fun, right? This was the worst weekend of my life. They said it was supposed to help us get to know each other better. I didn’t know they meant in the biblical sense."

At the retreat, several members report being approached by a senior member of TSL and propositioned with lewd and inappropriate comments.

"His lips were covered with this cheap, red wine, and he said something like ‘Red is for love, baby,’" said one disgusted female member.

Some also report having their hand and hair touched and being hugged repeatedly. Others report witnessing this member "going around the room from girl to girl. It was out of hand."

"I felt uncomfortable, but I didn’t know what to do," reported one female member who was a target. "It was all part of the initiation."

TSL has admitted to the violations of their charter, but deny any other wrongdoing. "If you want to get into technicalities, I guess we’re guilty. Technically, the retreat was a final initiation activity and we had it after spring break. Technically, we did not have our faculty advisor present. But these are all little things. That other stuff, the hazing and the lewd photos yada yada yada, we didn’t do that shit," stated Vice President of TSL Pat Resing on KSPC’s Monday Night Live this week. The show was dedicated to providing a community forum for the communication of ideas between TSL and the community.

"It hurts me to be accused...I mean, for the organization to be accused," stated Past President of TSL Teddy Schall. "Because when you accuse such a small organization of really good friends, you accuse the individuals. And we are not guilty. We did not do these things. You can ask any one of us. I don’t know why people are saying these things. They are simply not true."

The controversy began a little over a month ago when anonymous fliers were posted around the school. These fliers accused TSL of forcing initiates to memorize and follow a dictum during the Halona retreat.

The fliers allege that the following items were on the dictum: "I will drink until drunk"; "I will take and share lewd photographs"; and "PAC 11," which is allegedly an understanding among members to grotesquely hit on specifically targeted women. The fliers also alleged that points were awarded for these and other activities, and that points were deducted from those who did not participate.

TSL President Jeff Gernes refuted the allegations, describing the activities of the weekend as "good, clean fun." He also commented that he thought the people who posted the fliers "simply overreacted. They weren’t there. They don’t know what went on. Instead of throwing around accusations, I think we should make an effort to have a fair communication of ideas in the community." He also concluded that there was "absolutely no truth in the existence of a dictum like [the fliers] described."

"There was a point system, but there is absolutely nothing that can deduct from the points," stated Gernes. He then listed several things which could earn points, such as getting one’s picture taken with an alumni member or stealing a brother’s ID card.

Schall also denied the allegations.

"Megan Purn is absolutely, 100 percent, not PAC 11," stated Schall. "In fact, I don’t even know what you are talking about. PAC 11 doesn’t exist."

"They’re good boys," stated TSL’s faculty advisor Kevin O’Leary. "I may not have been there, but I know they are good boys. None of my boys would ever do anything wrong."

The Student Affairs Committee (SAC) is scheduled to hear the case next week. A finding that TSL violated the Student Code could result in suspension, revocation of charter, or expulsion. However, no result will be released by the SAC until later next year per College policy.

"It is our foremost goal to protect the interests of the organization," said Acting Dean of Students Toni Clark. "We will release the results in Chirps! when we feel it will do the least damage to the fraternity and those involved with it." Clark added that she wanted to be sure to avoid any possible charges against her for publishing the results too soon.

The Student Handbook clearly states that if words are construed by someone to be insulting rather than a communication of ideas, it could be harassment. Any guilty verdict might be construed to be insulting and not a communication.

"We want to be really careful and make sure we don’t put ourselves in a state of jeopardy," concluded Clark.