The U’s Kappa Sigma fraternity is no stranger to trouble. In recent years, it has been sanctioned and censured for incidents ranging from a drunken member falling off the roof of the chapter’s house, a fire causing damage to the premises, a brawl that necessitated intervention from a SWAT team and accusations of rape.

The latest bit of foolishness occurred in January when, while house leaders were away, some members threw an unauthorized party that resulted in 52 alcohol-related citations.

Certain U administrators viewed that as the last straw, and Dean of Students Stayner Landward has taken steps to get Kappa Sigma International to revoke the U chapter’s charter. After all, these officials, and many other community members, have the view that Kappa Sigma carries with it an institutional culture disinclined to follow the rules.

Given the fraternity’s recent track record, it is a difficult argument to refute. On the other hand, though, given the transitional nature of the fraternity system, it is also disingenuous to punish new members for the misdeeds of their predecessors.

The fair punishment then, it seems, is to split the difference?something the U’s Greek Judiciary did in a hearing on Feb. 26 designed to review the Kappa Sigma situation.

Under the provisions reached at that meeting, the Kappa Sigma house is now the first dry fraternity at the U, all of its members must undergo alcohol training (a provision which will continue indefinitely), it cannot hold any social events for Spring and Summer semesters, it must pay a fine of $8,150, and most importantly, the Kappa Sigmas agree that, with one more violation of the Greek Constitution, the Greek Council will support the U’s withdrawal of recognition of the chapter and the revocation of its charter by KSI.

While this decision does mean that Kappa Sigma gets yet another chance, it also means this is its final chance. For now, Kappa Sigma remains part of the U community. It is now up to its own members to ensure it remains so.