conduct status

"Cease and desist" means that they need to immediately stop all chapter operations: no philanthropy or service events, no recruitment or PR tabling, no social events, no chapter meetings, and (in some severe cases) no wearing letters. The organization is not allowed to operate in any way, while the allegations are explored. Usually, cease and desist orders only occur in extreme cases of hazing or other "dangerous" behavior.

"Probation" basically means they got a warning; usually the organization gets a list of things to accomplish to get back in good standing as well as a punishment. They can still operate as a chapter, however, i.e. hold meetings, complete service hours, table for PR, etc. For example: say a sorority has a formal and someone who is there drinks underage and needs medical attention. The sorority will be put on probation and not be allowed to have social events for the rest of the semester or for the whole year. In addition, they would need to host a sober social event to show they are capable of having a good time without going overboard. This is just one hypothetical example of social probation, which is the most common. There can also be academic probation (the entire chapter does not make a required GPA, for example, which I don't think has ever happened at this school), or financial probation (an organization does not pay their Panhellenic/IFC dues (which I also don't think has ever happened).

what is membership review?

i actually don't know...it says that it's done by their headquarters though so it doesn't sound like AU has anything to do with it. maybe someone from their national organization comes and talks to each member? makes sure they're all on the same page/not breaking any rules? i know when axo got in trouble a few years ago their member review was nationals coming and making sure every girl was following the new rules and if they weren't they got individual consequences

Membership reviews are conducted by the IHQ staff, usually the Executive Director and at least one or two staff members and alumni. This process is where the IHQ examines the behavior and attitudes of each sister and every sister in the chapter to see if they are living up to the standards of the National Sorority (Chapter operations, Credo, Policies of both the National Sorority and University, nature of any Risk management issues, etc) by interviewing all members. After the interviews and initial examination of the overall chapter is completed, the IHQ will determine what members will stay and what members get kicked out. Once the termination of a few or several members is complete, the IHQ will outline a new chapter standard of operations for every member to follow going forward. This will include following the probation or suspension guidelines with violating them, focus on leadership training and team building, risks of hazing and alcohol abuse, increase philanthropy projects, mandatory attendance and participation in all national events (Presidents Academy, National Convention, Leadership institute, etc). Membership reviews are basically death to the fraternity and sorority chapters if it's not complied.

To clarify on the technical definition, it's a way for the national HQ to essentially close the chapter without actually doing it. They kick everyone who isn't totally on the straight and narrow out and leave the rest to keep it going. I've never seen it happen to a sorority but I've seen fraternity chapters go from ~60 to 5-10 brothers or from ~200 to ~20-30.

Sammy hasn't been on cease and desist for a while now

they've been taken off now