Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity, Inc. v. University of Pittsburgh

Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity (the fraternity) (plaintiff) was a recognized student organization at the University of Pittsburg (defendant). The fraternity, which typically had a membership of approximately 80 students, participated in a few minor acts of charity in the community during the school year. The fraternity actively recruited members from the general student population, and it was not particularly selective in who it admitted. The fraternity did not regularly take a public stance on any political, social, or cultural issue. The fraternity owned a house, where several members of the fraternity lived. Police raided the house and found various illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. Four fraternity members were arrested on drug charges. The university investigated the incident and held a hearing before a panel to determine the fate of the fraternity. The panel recommended three years of probation. However, the university’s vice chancellor, after reviewing the panel’s recommendation, rejected the recommendation for probation and revoked the fraternity’s status as a recognized student organization for one year. The vice chancellor also placed several restrictions on the fraternity’s activities, including a prohibition on recruitment. The fraternity filed a lawsuit against the university, arguing that the revocation violated its members’ constitutional rights of freedom of association. The district court ruled in favor of the university, and the fraternity appealed.