Harrigan stands by Meaner after his DUI arrest

In a letter written to The Pitt News, Greek adviser Chris Meaner confirmed Friday that he was… In a letter written to The Pitt News, Greek adviser Chris Meaner confirmed Friday that he was arrested near campus on July 18, 2004, for driving under the influence.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Student Life Birney Harrigan, who led the four-month search for a Greek adviser this summer, expressed her support for Meaner and her faith in his ability to continue doing his job, which often involves working with alcohol issues for fraternities and sororities.

“I am confident that Chris will be able to handle any concerns that arise appropriately,” Harrigan said, adding that she is “absolutely confident that it will not in any way interfere with his ability to perform.”

Meaner, who was offered the job of Greek adviser in July, has filled the position since August. At the time when Meaner officially began, Pitt had had a full-time Greek adviser for only about eight of the previous 22 months.

Harrigan said she learned about Meaner’s arrest when she saw it documented in the police media log, a daily log recording all crimes reported to the Pitt police. The Pitt police media log is maintained in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Harrigan said she then met with Meaner, allowing him to explain what happened.

“It’s a personnel matter that I believe I have dealt with appropriately, and Chris understands that,” Harrigan said, adding that the incident was “regrettable.”

The incident occurred after Meaner interviewed for the position of Greek adviser, around the time he was offered the job, Harrigan said. Meaner was employed by Pitt at the time, though not yet as Greek adviser. Meaner did not immediately alert Harrigan of the incident, but Harrigan said there is no explicit requirement that candidates disclose such information.

She added that there is no explicit guidance concerning how a DUI arrest should affect a candidate’s application, either, but Harrigan noted that it didn’t happen on the job, so “great care had to be exacted in dealing” with it.

Meaner said he could not comment on the exact facts of the case, but in his letter, he described how the incident has affected his life.

“Since July 18, not one day has gone by where I have not thought of this situation,” Meaner wrote. “This is by far the most embarrassing situation that I’ve ever been in.”

“One of the reasons why I’m writing this letter is so that everyone can learn from this situation,” he added.

Describing the duty of telling his family and friends as “one of the worst things that I’ve ever had to do,” Meaner wrote that those close to him have been supportive, though disappointed.

Meaner also wrote that he hopes to meet individually with all the students he advises, in order to make them aware of the situation.

“I decided to take this job as Greek adviser for a number of different reasons, but the most important reason is because I wanted to work with all of you,” he wrote of the Pitt students whom he advises.

“The truth is that I do not know what I would do if it was not for students coming in [my office] on a daily basis, hanging out with me, telling me about the things in their lives that make them most happy and sad,” he added.

“What makes this position,” Meaner wrote, is that students trust him “not only as an adviser, but as a solid friend.”

Meaner also mentioned that he has dedicated eight years of his life to Pitt, and that he will continue to do so.

“I sincerely hope that everyone in and outside of my life can move on from this situation,” Meaner wrote. “We are all here to do a job, and that job is to make this university as great as it possibly can be.”

“To my past, present and future students, please know that I’m here for all of you,” he wrote.