ITHACA, N.Y. — Psi Upsilon will immediately be closing indefinitely amid accusations that members of the fraternity may have been involved in a crime where a black man was beaten and called racial slurs.
In a statement from Cornell, the Psi Upsilon alumni Board of Governors announced that the fraternity house, which is currently undergoing renovations, will reopen in 2018-2019 to student groups instead. According to the news release, the fraternity house will open “for the use of student organizations at Cornell that are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive student community.”
The fraternity has been subject to recent disciplinary action.
Former President Wolfgang Ballinger was accused of raping a student in January of 2016 at the house, located at 2 Forest Park Lane. He pleaded down to misdemeanor forcible touching in February.
The fraternity has not been recognized by Cornell since May 2016 for other violations, as well.
The news release was signed by Ryan Lombardi, vice president for Student and Campus Life, and Fred Van Sickle, vice president for Alumni Affairs and Development. In it, they wrote, “We appreciate this gesture by Cornell alumni of Psi Upsilon to help promote healing in our community and we will work with their Board of Governors in the coming months to finalize their intent and make plans for the future use of the property at 2 Forest Park Lane.”