Liu and attorney Tim Clark, a lawyer at DesMeules Olmstead & Ostler, represented the organization at the hearing.
The Tabard also agreed to not allow any "distilled spirits" to be in their house until May 31, 2011 as part of the plea bargain, according to the court's sentencing order.
The no contest plea which legally indicates that a defendant will not challenge or claim guilt for a charge was "not an admission of guilt, it was simply a resolution," Clark said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
The Tabard was charged on May 27 after a 20-year old Dartmouth student was arrested for alcohol possession after allegedly drinking at the organization's physical plant. The Tabard had already received a warning from Hanover Police for an April incident involving alcohol served to minors, The Dartmouth previously reported. Five other Greek organizations were also warned by Hanover Police.
The six warnings issued by Hanover Police followed the police's February announcement that it planned to conduct compliance checks at Greek organizations' physical plants. The police postponed the policy indefinitely in March after receiving heavy student criticism, The Dartmouth previously reported.
Since Greek organizations can be legally charged as a corporation, Tabard could have faced fines of up to $100,000 under New Hampshire law.
"I'm ecstatic," Liu said. "It could have been a whole lot worse. We're glad to have the chance to try again."
Other stipulations of the plea bargain include full compliance with the College's alcohol policies, Clark said in an interview with The Dartmouth. He described the outcome as both "fair" and "constructive."
Kevin Niparko '12, president of the Inter-Fraternity Council, said that although Tabard is not a member of the IFC, fraternities are aware of the case and its outcome. Niparko said that the IFC and Greek organizations will continue to work with the Hanover police and the College to make sure they are following all laws and regulations.
"This summer we are working with the Hanover Police, Safety and Security and college administrators to make sure all students are safe and abiding by the law and that all houses are aware of all laws and college regulations," Niparko said.
Panhellenic Council president Nishreen Ali '12 said that the Tabard case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a continual dialogue between Greek organizations and Hanover Police in order to "increase transparency" and "set expectations."
"The Tabard case definitely carries a good lesson for all the Greeks, and Panhell will be sure to work with sororities to ensure extra caution is taken to avoid conflicts with the Hanover Police," she said.
The sentencing order was modeled after a plea agreement implemented "three or four" years ago when Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority faced similar charges, Clark said in the interview. DesMeules Olmstead & Ostler represented Kappa during those negotiations, he said.
