Dear Interim President Kotlikoff,

We, the undersigned alumni members of the Cornell Delta Phi Fraternity, are submitting this petition to voice our profound concerns regarding the investigation and suspension of our fraternity. We seek your engagement to address what we perceive as procedural injustices in this matter.

Background of the Issue:

Delta Phi's Contributions: Delta Phi has long been a cornerstone at Cornell, instilling values of leadership, academic excellence, and community service. Our alumni continue to play an active role in supporting both the fraternity and the university's broader initiatives.

Current Situation: Delta Phi has been subjected to an investigation resulting in an interim suspension, which we believe was conducted with significant procedural flaws.

Concerns Regarding the Investigation Process:

Lack of Neutrality: We are troubled by the apparent lack of neutrality from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS). The investigation seems to have been driven by a predetermined intent to find Delta Phi guilty, rather than a balanced pursuit of truth.

Inconsistent Sanction Application: There appears to be a noticeable inconsistency in how sanctions are applied across different Greek organizations. This raises questions about fairness and the equitable treatment of all student groups under Cornell's policies.

Violation of University Procedures: We believe that university officials might have violated their own procedural guidelines during the investigation. This includes potentially coercive tactics that intimidated our undergraduate members and new member candidates, thereby hindering their ability to adequately defend themselves and communicate statements.

Fear and Intimidation: The manner in which the investigation was conducted, including fear instilled in our undergraduate members and new member candidates, suggests a deliberate strategy to weaken our organization's defense. This not only contravenes principles of fairness but also the ethical standards we expect from Cornell.

Exclusion of Organization Members: We are particularly concerned with the exclusion of fraternity members from the investigation process under the guise of maintaining a 'student-led focus.' The fraternity is its members, both past and present. The exclusion of current members and alumni from meaningful participation or even observation of the procedures not only undermines the fraternity's ability to defend itself but also goes against the spirit of community and involvement that Cornell champions. This clause in the investigation process has effectively silenced the collective voice of Delta Phi, neglecting the wealth of experience and insight that alumni could offer.

Our Request:

We respectfully request your engagement to:

Review the Investigation for Impartiality: Conduct an independent review to ensure the investigation was carried out impartially and in adherence to university procedures.

Evaluate Sanction Consistency: Assess whether the sanctions imposed on Delta Phi align with those applied to other organizations for similar alleged infractions, promoting consistency and fairness.

Ensure Procedural Integrity: Investigate any potential violations of university procedures by the investigating officers and ensure that future actions are conducted with integrity.

Protect Students' Rights: Implement measures to protect students from being unfairly intimidated or coerced during investigations, ensuring they can speak freely and defend themselves without undue pressure.

Conclusion:

Our fraternity, like Cornell University, stands on principles of honor, fairness, and community. We trust in your commitment to these values and seek your assistance in rectifying these concerns. We are eager to collaborate with you to ensure that justice and procedural integrity are not only upheld but also seen to be upheld.

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We look forward to your response and to engaging in a constructive dialogue to resolve these issues.

Sincerely,

John Horvatis

President, Cornell Delta Phi Association