The NIU chapter of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity received severe sanctions, including a one-year suspension, stemming from an alleged sexual assault which took place at a fraternity party Dec. 2.

The NIU administration and the fraternity’s national chapter issued the sanctions on charges of serving alcohol to minors.

A Lambda Chi little sister reported she was assaulted by a fraternity member, both of whom were minors.

The alleged attacker, who was removed from the house last semester, will receive an NIU judicial hearing in February, said Mike Johnson, president of NIU’s Lambda Chi chapter. The fraternity has already received a list of sanctions dealing with alcohol education.

The fraternity is suspended for one year but will be reviewed at the end of this semester for possible probation, Johnson said. Probationary status prohibits the chapter from becoming involved in social functions, intramural sports and service projects. The chapter will be able to hold Rush.

NIU also will require the fraternity to hold sexual assault workshops on acquaintance rape, perception of relationships and risk management.

Lambda Chi also will put together a chapter advisory board, sponsor a program during sexual assault awareness week and work closely with Michelle Emmett, director of University Programming and Activities.

Johnson said he believes the sanctions are “hypocritical” because many fraternities hold parties similar to Lambda Chi’s.

This incident will help the greek system in the long run as far as changing and adhering to alcohol policies, Johnson said. “This is an example of how the actions of one person can make an entire house look bad,” he said.

Sanctions from the fraternity’s national chapter include: holding one alcohol awareness workshop, developing a risk management task force to review planned functions, implementing a complex national alcohol policy, becoming involved in an alcohol awareness group and establishing an alumni advisory board.