UI to redo investigation of FIJI hazing allegations, lawyer says
University of Idaho Dean of Students Craig Chatriand confirmed Monday he will resign from the university effective March 9.
Chatriand said his decision came after a conflict could not be resolved with the alumni of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, more commonly known as FIJI. FIJI lawyer John Bradbury confirmed Monday that sanctions previously levied against the house by the Dean of Students Office have been dropped and the incidents that led to them would be reinvestigated.
Craig Chatriand
In his role as dean of students, Chatriand oversees the Greek advisory office. The Dean of Students Office confirmed last week that FIJI had been sanctioned by the Greek office following an investigation of hazing allegations. Greek adviser Brittany Bowles declined comment last week on the individuals involved or the details of the allegations, but said FIJI house leadership accepted the sanctions imposed Feb. 19 by the Dean of Students Office.
Despite the house’s initial acceptance of the sanctions, FIJI continued to explore options relating to the sanctions and the process by which they were arrived, contacting Interim Provost and Executive Vice-President Katherine Aiken.
“We were extremely disappointed in how this process was handled,” Bradbury said.
Bradbury said the university’s new investigation will begin with review from the Greek Community Standards Board.
Aiken declined to comment on either investigation or the removal of the sanctions. She said she was informed of Chatriand’s resignation by his supervisor Jean Kim, vice provost for student affairs and enrollment management. Kim did not return a request for comment on the situation as of press time.
“I have been grateful for his service,” Aiken said of Chatriand.
Chatriand would not discuss details of the initial investigation but said he believed he was not being allowed to do the job the way he saw fit.
“There’s situations that involve campus safety that I’m not able to address in the way they need to be addressed,” Chatriand said. “It’s better to have a person in this seat who can do that more effectively than I have been able to.”
Chatriand took over the position at the beginning of January following the retirement of long-time Dean of Students and Vice Provost for Student Affairs Bruce Pitman. He previously served as the associate dean of students beginning in 2012, and prior to that served as the assistant director for student success for University Housing.
Chatriand said he will work through the end of the week to wrap up any loose ends related to his job.
“I have enjoyed working with UI students tremendously,” Chatriand said. “I have enjoyed the colleagues and opportunities available here … But when we feel we can’t do the foundational work of our job, it’s time to step away and let someone else try.”
Kaitlyn Krasselt can be reached [email protected]