During his time speaking at the United Greek Council meeting April 26, Chancellor Dennis Shields said that drinking has become a problem all over the nation, even at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Shields chose to speak at the meeting regarding Greek image after multiple incidents that took place at and outside of the Delta Sigma Phi house the weekend of April 21, where citations for underage drinking were issued.

Due to these citations and other illegal activities the Platteville Common Council revoked permits DSP had acquired for a street closure and the temporary license to sell alcohol, thereby cancelling Deltafest, a music festival held by the fraternity.

“We felt there had been enough problems at that house during the weekend to request that the city pull the permits,” said Joanne D. Wilson, interim assistant chancellor, who spoke at the UGC meeting with Shields. “We are concerned about the safety of all students, and this was a step toward that goal.”

Members of DSP expressed outrage concerning the revoking of the permits, saying the action was too strong and too quickly decided upon.

According to the minutes from the UGC meeting, Shields said the chapters need to take accountability for and correct issues that occur within their walls and between their members.

“Remember that there are consequences to your actions,” Shields said.

The image of the Greek community has come under scrutiny the past two months, especially now that six of the nine fraternities and one sorority will most likely be placed on probation by the end of the semester, Wilson said.

“Having only done this for just one year, I do not know if this is a lot of activity,” said Wilson, who was the adviser for Theta Tao for 16 years. “But I feel it is enough for there to be a need for action.”

Wilson fears a “culture of alcohol” has enveloped the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and other universities across the nation and hopes that her and Shields speaking at the UGC meeting made Greek students think about the choices they are making.

DSP President Stephen Kelley echoed Wilson’s sentiment.

“I appreciate (Shield and Wilson) spending their time and speaking their hearts and minds in front of a group of my peers,” Kelley said. “They had all very good points, and I wish more people could hear and understand what they had to say.”

Wilson hopes that the talk has motivated a deterred Greek community to live up to the responsibility it has with its visibility on campus.

“There is nothing wrong with the Greek image,” Wilson said. “Greeks do a lot of positive things for the school and the community, but some of their current choices are overshadowing that image.”

A judicial board meeting will be held Thursday to decide whether DSP will be put on probation.