By Will Wright

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Members of Phi Delta Theta fraternity are waiting to hear if the University Appeals Board will modify or remove sanctions against the fraternity.

Phi Delta Theta has appealed the Interfraternity Council Judicial Board’s decision to sanction the fraternity. UK spokeswoman Gail Hairston said it is unclear when a decision would be made about the fraternity.

The appeals board will determine if Phi Delta Theta had reasonable opportunity to prepare and present a response to allegations of use, possession or distribution of narcotic or dangerous drugs, violation of university alcohol policy and the commission of acts or the implementation of programs or activities that violate local, state or federal law.

Phi Delta Theta’s vice president and president-elect Joe McClure, in a previous interview with the Kernel, said there is no evidence of any violation and that the fraternity is being punished for something it did not do.

The board will also determine if there is information that was unavailable at the time of the original hearing that would alter the decision.

The sanctions may be reduced, modified or upheld, and the decision of the University Appeals Board will be final, according to a statement from Dean of Students Victor Hazard.

“We expect the appeals to be successful,” McClure said. “We have not started moving out.”

If the sanctions are upheld and the appeals are unsuccessful, 40 members of Phi Delta Theta must move out of their chapter house at 327 Columbia Terrace. The fraternity members are allowed to stay in the house until the appeals process is completed.

The fraternity will also be barred from participating in any university-sponsored activities and from using university facilities.

An online petition titled “Save Phi Delta Theta” has garnered nearly 2,600 signatures as of Monday, but it is now closed, according to the website.