Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. recognizes that sexual misconduct; which encompasses assault, harassment, and rape; creates immense harm towards survivors and the communities in which they reside. As a result of recent allegations of sexual misconduct committed by members of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc., we want to declare our commitment to the betterment of our organization and communities by providing assurance that the Board of Directors and the Judicial Board will rigorously investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and take action against chapters and/or individuals found guilty of instigating, perpetuating, contributing to or taking part in sexual misconduct activities. We are also committed to working with survivors to ensure they are safe. Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. takes a zero tolerance stance against sexual misconduct, and the Judicial Board will revoke membership from anyone who engages in such actions, which is in line with what was done in previous instances.
We are working on uncovering the many layers that affect our organization’s involvement with sexual misconduct and recognize we have not been proactive in implementing systemic change for what is clearly a systemic issue. It is important to note that the harm caused by our lack of systemic change extends to issues that are intertwined with sexual assault; such as racism, homophobia, toxic masculinity, and transphobia; which we identified in our most recent statement. These issues are interconnected at their roots in that the systemic and cultural conditions which allow for one issue to arise are often the breeding ground for many other toxic behaviors and actions.
Therefore, the following action items encompass our foundational commitment to systemic and cultural change within our organization. Please note this list is a living artifact, in that it will likely be enhanced and updated as we continue to educate ourselves and assess our progress:
Reporting and Investigation: We are committed to enhancing our existing reporting and investigatory process, which will now be inclusive of internal and external stakeholders. The Judicial Board of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has handled past occurrences with a zero tolerance policy which has led to the deletterment of individuals where deemed necessary. We are improving this process to encourage reporting by increasing safety and accessibility to those making a report.
- Building of external and internal reporting system on our national website
- Strengthening of partnerships with existing campus professionals and resources
- Reviewing and updating roles and procedures for the Judicial Board and Board of Directors when receiving a report
Policy: Last year, as part of restructuring of the Board of Directors, we created a Director of Diversity & Inclusion role, to elevate the importance of diversity, inclusion and equity, both within our organization and when engaging with our communities. As part of this new role, we have and will continue to review our existing organizational policies as documented in our constitution and generally accepted policies to further ensure they align with developing socially-responsible members.
- Continuing support of a review committee which encompasses multifaceted individuals across professions, educational backgrounds, and roles within the organization
- Engagement during the review process with community stakeholders; such as campus professionals, NALFO Member Organizations, and other relevant professionals
- Improving our communication channels to ensure clear, standardized messaging of related policies across our organization
The Gamma Life Cycle Project: We have been setting the foundational pieces for a complete rebuild of what it means to be a member of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and feel we are at a place to launch the initial phase of this project. The intent is to drive systemic and cultural change throughout the entirety of the organization.
- Identifying clear, measurable outcomes, characteristics, and skills to be used as the standard for defining a successful member of our organization
- Consulting with community stakeholders* on best practices, educational opportunities, and skill-sets that are conducive to the development of successful members
*Community stakeholders are to include, but are not limited to:campus professionals, NALFO Member Organizations, and organizations that specialize in a given subject area.
- Mapping out the entirety of our membership life cycle, from the time of first contact during the recruitment process all the way to alumni status, and strategically defining common milestones where we can implement educational opportunities, best practices, and skill building conducive to the development of successful members
- Assigning responsibility for implementation, maintenance, adherence to The Gamma Life Cycle Project at both the chapter and national levels
- Reviewing membership outcomes with respect to the Gamma Life Cycle Project on an annual basis, identifying opportunities for growth, and implementing them into the structure
We will provide updates on each of these items as we continue our work to be better. We do not take lightly the responsibility we have to make impactful, sustainable change in order to dismantle the structures that have perpetuated toxic behaviors and actions by our members, including but not limited to sexual misconduct. Ultimately, we will not cease until we are certain that Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is a vehicle for the development of socially responsible members who contribute to the creation of healthy and safe communities.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Judicial Board
Board of Directors
Leonardo Faria Chusán, Jimmy B. Franco, Arnulfo Garcia, Carlos Garcia, Michael Lopez, Teodoro Lopez, Cesar Mejia, Juan Jose Oyervidez, Jaime Ramos, Kenneth Reyes, Freddy Derrell Reyes, Johnny Rodriguez, José A. Rodríguez, Gustavo Alberto Sanchez, Steve Silva, and Eddie Yanez
Judicial Board
Esteban Alcalá, Marco Castanos, Diego Garcia, Jorge Gonzalez, Arturo Nevarez, and Alex Patterson