Syracuse University’s Pi chapter of the Psi Upsilon fraternity has issued an apology to the Panhellenic Council and community for its “Bootcamp” competition.

In a letter obtained by The Daily Orange, the brothers of Psi Upsilon said they ended the tradition of “Bootcamp,” saying it created an environment in which women competed for men’s approval.

The letter was addressed to Panhellenic Council President Emily Barkann, and the Panhellenic community. It was sent last month.

Though the letter said Psi Upsilon received sanctions for “Bootcamp,” the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs confirmed the chapter did not violate SU’s Code of Student Conduct.

The Interfraternity Council has its own independent peer review process for potential violations of IFC policy, and that process is handled internally by a governing council, said Shannon Feeney Andre, an SU spokesperson, in an email.

The letter Psi Upsilon sent to the Panhellenic council. Obtained by The Daily Orange

Psi Upsilon was previously placed on “disciplinary reprimand” until October 2018 for a conduct violation or violations. The circumstances behind that action were not immediately clear.

In the letter, Psi Upsilon thanked people who “spoke out” against the Bootcamp tradition. The chapter said members see the “sanctions” as a step forward and intend to learn from their mistakes.

The letter said the fraternity was “enthusiastic” for future mediated discussions with Panhellenic community members.

“Today marks a new day for the brotherhood of Psi Upsilon Fraternity, and we could not be more grateful,” the letter said.

Signatories of the letter could not be reached for comment.

The letter was signed by four members of the Psi Upsilon executive board, IFC Director of Educational Programming Zachary Bloch and IFC Director of Public Relations Christopher Rettinger.

— News Editor Kennedy Rose contributed reporting to this article.

Published on February 3, 2019 at 7:35 pm

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