The appeal to overturn Lambda Chi Alpha’s five-year suspension from NIU was denied; however, it was shortened to three years.

Michelle Emmett, associate vice provost of Student Affairs, said the decision was a difficult one to make.

“Lambda Chi has been an influential organization on this campus in the past,” Emmett said.

However, it was found that the allegations were too serious to justify a complete appeal.

“There was information brought forward that was definitely actionable material,” Emmett said.

Lambda Chi was brought up on NIU charges of excessive hazing, physical abuse and intimidation, among other things.

NIU officials began investigating the fraternity last semester when several of its members came forth with incriminating information. Several members were expelled as a result of individual judicial hearings.

The manner in which former members of Lambda Chi approached Emmett about an appeal was crucial in the decision to lessen the term.

“They were very cooperative,” Emmett said. “Before, no one was talking. When they came back and asked for an appeal, they pleaded their case.”

Lambda Chi’s national headquarters kept close communication with NIU with the exchange of information to consider the case.

“We found that some of the information that we originally received had been blown out of proportion, which is why the sentence was lessened,” said Betsy Bly, editor of Lambda Chi National’s Cross and Crescent magazine.

However, none of the members who were involved with Lambda Chi this semester will be allowed to be in the fraternity if it resurfaces on campus in the future.

This was the first time Emmett could recall that members from within a fraternity came forward with allegations against their own house.

*Earlier versions of this story, when listing NIU’s charges against the fraternity, contained two charges that NIU officials say were not on the list.