The Interfraternity Council (IFC) Executive Board last night voted unanimously to impeach IFC President Abe Gitterman, who was offered the option to resign but refused.
In an e-mail sent out by IFC Executive Vice President Kelsey Gingrich (senior-electrical engineering), IFC members were informed that "Gitterman was offered an opportunity to resign from office; however, he advised the Council that he would not resign and would face an impeachment process."
Gitterman (senior-political science, history and crime, law and justice) said he had no comment on his impeachment.
Gingrich wrote that the IFC Executive Board would consult Roy Baker, director of greek life and advancement, "to determine the next step with this issue."
Baker wrote in an e-mail that he did not have a comment about the decision at this time.
Gingrich would not say why the Executive Board decided to remove Gitterman.
Last week, Gitterman sent out two e-mails to IFC members explaining a new public relations policy. In one e-mail, sent Feb. 26, Gitterman wrote, "If we see any quotes in the Collegian, you will be getting a call."
Mattison Ford (senior-finance), IFC vice president for communications, said the Executive Board is discussing a timetable for the impeachment process.
"With spring break next week, we're trying to get as much out of the way as possible in the next 24 hours," Ford said last night. "We're trying not to leave things in limbo."
Ford said the IFC Executive Board looks forward to working with the media in the future.
Gingrich said the IFC Executive Board has options on how to handle the impeachment, but members are still "talking to make the best decision." The process will begin immediately after spring break.
According to the IFC's constitution, impeachment for an Executive Board officer must be approved by seven-eighths of the remaining board, of which there are nine people.
Gail Hurley, interim vice president for Student Affairs, said she did not have any information on the matter. Bob Orndorff, special assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs, had no comment.
Ann Marie DiPietro (junior-nursing), president of the Panhellenic Council, which governs Penn State's sororities, said the council respects the IFC's decision.
"We have always had a good relationship with them, and we trust that their executives are responsible leaders," DiPietro said.
Frank Keller (senior-finance), former IFC executive vice president and current University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) vice president, said he was surprised by the decision.
"I'm just really interested in seeing what comes out in the wash," Keller said. "It's definitely something that doesn't happen very often. We'll see how it pans out. I hope the IFC doesn't suffer from any of this on anybody's side. I hope no one takes anything personally. I'm sure it was a professional decision."
Keller added that Gitterman had a lot of support when he ran for the position of IFC president.
"I figured he'd take that and embrace the position of IFC president with the same passion," Keller said. " And I think he did, but maybe that didn't exactly fall in line with what the rest of the Executive Board had in mind."
Hillary Lewis (senior-public relations), UPUA president and member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, said she was "floored" when she heard of Gitterman's impeachment.
"I feel like if the IFC feels like he wasn't doing the job that they wanted him to do, that's their prerogative to handle it," she said.
Jason Fedeli, a member of the national Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, said he thinks Gitterman deserved to be impeached.
"You can't tell someone not to speak to the media or they'll be punished. That's like mafia tactics or something, you know?" Fedeli said. "Anyone who infringes on anyone's constitutional right to speak freely deserves what they get. They deserve to have no position in anything."
