As a result of policy violations, the Penn State chapter of Pi Beta Phi sorority has been on probation since the beginning of this semester.

The Pi Beta Phi National Director of Communications Diane Balogh said the decision to put the chapter on probation resulted from "risky behavior" and violations of risk management policies.

Balogh said the chapter's behavior could be a wide range of violations, including recruitment or social policy violations.

Balogh said the probation would probably last for only this semester.

To assess the problems, an advisory council is formed, consisting of national headquarters representatives who speak to the members and figure out forms of punishment, which is different for every chapter in the national sorority, Balogh said.

"It is a plan for the women to get back in shape," she added.

Penn State Pi Beta Phi chapter President Ali Van Horn said that the advisory council has already begun to help the sorority members, and it will continue to come throughout the semester.

Pi Beta Phi members would not comment further because of a "strict policy on releasing information," Van Horn said.

Panhellenic Council President Annie Larimer said the Panhellenic Council did not get involved with the incident because it is between the chapter and the national headquarters.

Larimer said the council was informed about the probation, and it is trying to help the members fix the problems.

Panhellenic Adviser Jane Neitz said the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will also not get involved in the issue.

"We support the national headquarters by enforcing any sanctions they place on the chapter and help the chapter learn from past mistakes," Neitz said.

Larimer said about two to three probation sanctions are placed on Penn State chapters per year, some of which are for more severe violations than others. "It is not common, but it does happen," she said.