Possible / Alleged Hazing: Southern Mississippi Kappa Sigma "Little Sister"
 

A Hattiesburg news source reports:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...WS01/809040314

Excerpts:

. . . An alleged hazing incident at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house last Thursday night has left a student in intensive care at Forrest General Hospital.

The University of Southern Mississippi's University Police Department is investigating the incident.

Two students involved were admitted to the hospital for treatment of alcohol poisoning. One of the students remains hospitalized for continued treatment and observation. . . .

Mississippi law defines hazing as intentional or reckless conduct that creates a substantial risk of physical injury to someone going through initiation into or affiliation with any organization. . . .

Leslie Besancon, the mother of the student in ICU at Forrest General, said her daughter, a sophomore, had been invited to become a little sister of Kappa Sigma. At an initiation party last week, little sisters already affiliated with the fraternity initiated the new students.

"They poured pancake syrup in their hair and silly string - things like that," said Besancon, who is from Waveland and didn't want her daughter identified. "Then, they tilted their heads back and poured in whiskey and vodka."

Some students who were at the party brought Besancon's daughter to the hospital, saying they had found her on the side of the road. Her daughter had a blood-alcohol content of 0.47, more than five times above the legal limit of 0.08, and is being treated for alcohol poisoning. A 100-pound woman would have to drink more than 10 cocktails in one hour to have a 0.47 blood content. . . .

"She is in septic shock and her liver is enlarged," Besancon said. . . .

This is why many fraternities did away with Little Sis programs.

Yes, I know that the chapter members did not participate, but the name in the article and title is Kappa Sigma, not College Girls Who Are Friends with a Fraternity.

And the article on the Hattiesburg paper's site said that Kappa Sigma national reps were on campus. I have a feeling they're investigating.

Were the victims Greek? I'd like to assume no, because you'd think the active sisters would warn them not to take part in this kind of activity, but you never know.

The information I have is that a Delta Gamma is the women who is still in intensive care in the hospital. And that a Kappa Delta was the other woman treated and released. This information is from speaking to sorority women on the campus at USM, so it is not official.

I thought this originally, but as I got more involved, I found out that there were issues with us all remaining single gender organizations under Title 9 if there were little sister/little brother groups. However, this is another good reason...

The Associated Press is reporting that the U of Southern Mississippi has shut down the Kappa Sigma chapter, and that students are being helped to move out of the house.

http://www.sunherald.com/218/story/795493.html

Brief excerpt from posted article:

The University of Southern Mississippi has revoked the charter of Kappa Sigma fraternity after an alleged hazing incident that left two female students hospitalized.

President Martha Saunders said Thursday that the fraternity has acknowledged its participation in an event this past week at its house on the USM campus.

One student remained hospitalized Thursday in intensive care, Saunders said. . . .


Comment: I hope the young woman who is in intensive care makes a full recovery. A week (and maybe more, who knows) in an ICU is one heck of a way to start the school year.

Edited again to add: BTW, the U of Southern Mississippi and a different fraternity -- Sigma Nu -- are recently reported by a Jackson news source to have reached an out-of-court settlement with the parents of a man who died a few years ago in an incident related to alcohol consumption:

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pb...0357/1001/news

Edited again to add: For a comment regarding the report by the Jackson paper, please see the post -- #12 in this thread, I believe -- by SigNu471.

I think both reasons -- single-sex status and liabilty concerns -- contributed.

What kind of "friends" leave you on the side of the road in that kind of condition??

I interpreted that as them lying, as in saying we didn't get her this drunk, don't blame us, we just found here.

Hazing at USM
 

I had heard through unofficial sources that Kappa Sigma's charter was revoked, but the article in the paper says that USM did it rather than their national organization.

USM has done a great job with the sororities over the past few years, building new houses for all NPC groups and for all of the NPHC organizations who chose to participate. The women's basketball team also lives in "The Village" complex, plus there is a wonderful new dorm on the grounds that is open to all upperclass women who have a scholarship.

Maybe this incident will be the "wake-up" call for all Greeks on this campus to be more aware of hazing and alcohol abuse/underage drinking/binge drinking.:o

Edited again to add: BTW, the U of Southern Mississippi and a different fraternity -- Sigma Nu -- are recently reported by a Jackson news source to have reached an out-of-court settlement with the parents of a man who died a few years ago in an incident related to alcohol consumption:

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pb...0357/1001/news[/quote]




Actually the man that died at the Sigma Nu house died of a medical condition and not from alcohol. It took his family 8 different autopsies to finally get an alcohol verdict and that didnt hold up in court! His unfortunate death was not caused by HAZING or ALCOHOL!! Also he was an alumni and at the time the house was closed for summer repairs. the only reason anyone was there was because it was an alumni weekend and some of them stopped by to see what shape the house was in. Sammy was fine one minute and then walked out back to smoke a cigarette and a few minutes later was discovered underneath the swing blue in the face after a blood vessel burst in his brain! He hurt his shoulder at the beginning of the week and had been having terrible head aches until that tragic night. I will never be able to forget that night and my 2 remainning years at southern after that incident. so please learn your facts and PLEASE dont lump this in with another organization that demoralized people! Sigma Nu was founded against hazing and shuts down more chapters for hazing than all other organizations combined!! All anyone could do was talk behind our backs but we held our heads high and came together as a REAL brother hood not elitist dehumanizers!!

Sigma Nu
 

Thanks for the clarification. It was pretty much known here in the 'burg that he was an alumni and not a collegiate member of Sigma Nu. Hate the timing of the settlement with the Kappa Sigma incident. But still, alcohol comsumption in Greek housing will forever be under scruitiny whenever there is an incident...better to be above and beyond critisism.:(

Kappa Sig usually doesn't have much patience for stuff like this, so I would imagine the chapter will get heavy sanctions, and its charter may be in danger.

I'm almost completely sure that there's a Kappa Sig rule against Little Sister programs, which just adds to the probability that there will be serious sanctions.

Hopefully the girl involved makes a full and speedy recovery.

Folks, just a reminder, please only comment about facts which you either have personal knowledge of or those which can be confirmed in some verifiable source. As always, there's a zero-tolerance policy here regarding rumors and hearsay.

Thanks.

At last reports the National office of Kappa Sigma had revoked the chapter's charter. The individual campus can not revoke charters, but can refuse to acknowledge them which is what is going on in this instance. The attitude on the USM campus is that Kappa Sigma will continue. This is evident by the comments of several current Southern Miss Kappa Sigmas to various Hattiesburg media. I have several friends in Kappa Sigma and I pray for them every day since this incident. I hope that there can be justice but at the same time the healing and learning that needs to come of this can.

I'm a Kappa Sigma up in Canada. I served as a AAA so I am sure of this.

Kappa Sigma forbids the formation of "stardusters" and "Little Sister" organizations of any kind associated with the fraternity. It violates our Code of Conduct and it's very specific.

This was originally done in the 1970s to prevent girls from being passed around as "girlfriends".

Kappa Sigma also has a 1:1 rule, that for every guest, they must be accompanied by a current member. Alumni, wives and parents do not count towards this 1:1 rule (they are exempt). Perhaps this girl was the friend of a member, and we are innapropriately using the title of "little sister" which may be a generalization not usually applied.

Thomas

Thanks for the info - I was previously an alumni volunteer, but that was going on 4 years ago, so I wasn't completely sure of the policy.

ladybug12, you are correct the young lady in ICU is a member of Delta Gamma.

Edited out of respect!

Sweethearts and little sisters are not the same thing. Sweethearts are fine, that's a title of honor and the girl doesn't have to do anything to attain it.

Do the little sisters have a pledging process?

If Sigma Chi is doing, they are in clear violation of HQ policy. I have serious doubts that our HQ knows about it and is turning a blind eye.

Note she said little sisters AND sweethearts. Let's hope Sigma Chi has a sweetheart, and that's what she means.

Just because it's against the rules doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I actually was a little sister to a NIC fraternity on my campus freshman year before the chapter learned it was against the rules (it was carried over from the local fraternity that had always had them). It was disbanded the following year.

The Kappa Sigmas are still planning on being active I guess even thought they aren't officially recognized by the university. Several members of the fraternity has spoken out for this at www.hattiesburgamerican.com

I'm a recent alumni and sorority member from Southern Miss and can tell you that without a doubt every single fraternity on campus knows that Little Sisters aren't allowed but nearly every fraternity on campus has them. I can go down the row and tell you girls from my sorority and others who were little sisters for fraternities (with possibly 2 fraternity exceptions, I dont know much about two of them). My brother was a Kappa Sigma at another school and his wife was one of their little sisters. I have friends at schools all over the country who are little sisters for fraternities or guys whose fraternities have little sisters. Most of the sororities on campus also have "Big Brothers" of some sort, in fact, I can't think of one sorority that doesn't have them. Even if it is concealed in public, I assure you it goes on. It's not isolated and while it might be "against the rules" with IFC and NPC it doesn't seem to be a rule that is very enforced. I myself am a little sister for a fraternity on campus and have appreciated the opportunity to join with girls outside of my own sorority and to have a join effort with the boys when it comes to philanthropic events and parties.

Little Sister night is supposed to be a fun night of being college kids. Of course being a little irresponsible, but in general just having fun. Millions of kids do these types of things every year, with or without greek involvement. Recently, a young woman I knew passed out and died of alcohol poisoning at a random party one night. She had no one to pay attention and realize she needed to go to the hospital. While I agree that it is horrible that these two girls had to go to the hospital thanks to a night of over-indulgence, we can be thankful that it was recognized that help was needed before it was entirely too late.

having a little sister..although it isn't aloud in your bi-laws i don't believe would count as hazing?

Thank you, USM_Order_Girl, for sharing your knowledge of campus practices at USM.

In further news, reportedly the woman who was in intensive care has improved enough to be moved to a regular room in the hospital, according to this article:

http://www.sunherald.com/newsupdates/story/800455.html

Probably not the smartest idea airing your business like that...even if you know it isn't allowed. :rolleyes:

You're absolutely right.

I would definitely urge you all to consider what happens when someone from your national reads what you've written.

A good rule of thumb is to never post anything on the internet which you wouldn't mind showing to whoever the grand poombah of your organization is.

I've PM'd enough folks here regarding my opinion on this issue, but I won't stop anyone from outing their own chapters. Darwin.

survival of the fittest(or most discrete in this case)

I am bumping this thread with an article posted yesterday in the University sponsored newspaper at Southern Miss. I believe it addresses many questions and accusations posted in this thread, by University officials... Including the "little sister/sweetheart" postings.

http://media.www.studentprintz.com/m...-3420639.shtml

Kappa Sigma suspended
Lesley Walters
Issue date: 9/9/08 Section: News
Media Credit: Maggie Sanford

Following the alleged hazing incident that occurred August 28, University officials announced Friday that the Kappa Sigma fraternity's USM charter was revoked and their fraternity house closed.

Friday afternoon, 19 males moved out of the house, supervised by a patrolman of the university police department. The house and the property on which it stands are owned by the university.

Associate Dean for Greek Life Trey Skaggs, a native of Gulfport, said there is no room to house the students on campus since there has been a waiting list for residence halls since the start of the semester.

"When we went over Friday, we provided them with a list of every apartment complex in Hattiesburg with a vancacy," Skaggs said. "I've heard that some have already moved into two different apartments, so I know that they are in the process of doing that."

George Napier, president of the Interfraternity Council and native of Mandeville, La., said many of the ousted students preferred to move off campus, and that it was fortunate that there are newly built complexes near campus for them to move into. He added that while moving off campus might be inconvenient for the students, losing their charter was much worse, even to members of other Greek organizations.

"For some people ... this is all they have. This is their four years of college. To take that away is really a scary thing," Napier said. "It might be hard to understand for people not in fraternities and sororities, but it is not just a student organization, it is not just the partying you see. It's much deeper than that -- much more meaningful to the members."An investigation into the alleged hazing incident began after an event to welcome new little sisters to the Kappa Sigma fraternity, according to Hattiesburg American reports. Two female students who attended the event were transported to a local hospital for treatment of alcohol poisoning. One of the students was released the next day.

The other student, a sophomore from Waveland, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.47 -- more than five times the legal limit of 0.08 -- and was kept in intensive care for further observation and treatment. She has since been released from ICU, but remains at Forrest General Hospital.

President of the Student Government Association Melissa Cirino said "there are so many different emotions with this situation," but her primary concern is with the student and her family.

"I think we could argue all day about whose fault it is and where to place blame,"
Cirino said, "but I think if we go back to the fact that rules were broken and people are hurt because of it ... things need to be changed."

Cirino added that while she is a representative voice of the student body, she has never been involved in Greek Life, which makes up less than 10 percent of the student population with approximately 1,200 members.

"I think our administration and our student affairs division has been very, very generous with giving [Greek] organizations the opportunity for self-governance," Cirino said, "but when that doesn't happen ... and they get out of control, then what we're seeing is a lack of self-governance."

Skaggs said the executive members of Greek Life are in charge of enforcing policies on an organizational level, while individuals who break the code of conduct are referred to the Dean of Students Office. Greek Life has its own judicial board that adheres to its own constitution and bylaws in addition to university policies.

"This - what occurred two weeks ago - was on a magnitude that was above the [IFC]. That's something that the university has to deal with," Skaggs said.

Skaggs said the scandal has created dialogue between different chapters on campus regarding alcohol education, risk management and prevention, and has led to the research and creation of a new policy in Greek Life regarding little sisters. He said most national fraternities and sororities suggest that little sisters be prohibited.

Little sisters are generally female friends or girlfriends of active fraternity members and may or may not be involved in a sorority. Often, their responsibilities include painting party signs, cooking and cleaning in the fraternity house. Active members vote on whom to induct as little sisters each year.

"We've had little sisters on this campus for a while," Skaggs said, "and that is something the Office of Greek Life is addressing ... We have put a suspension on all activities regarding little sisters at this point and in the upcoming week we're going to be working on getting that policy, but right now we're kind of in the research part of it."

A revised fraternity/sorority alcohol policy was introduced this semester, and has been posted on all of the doors of chapter houses. Skaggs said the Greek Life is in the process of educating all of its members about the new policy, which was reworked to prohibit beer pong, quarters, funnels and several other techniques and devices that encourage rapid alcohol consumption.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright 2008 Student Printz

Update: Grand Jury Indictments

A couple of news stories or articles; several other news sources in the area around USM have similar or all - but - identical stories posted:

From U of Southern Mississippi site:

http://www.usm.edu/pr/cms/index.php?...=2106&Itemid=2

From the Hattiesburg newspaper's site:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...EWS01/81106046

As I often say, let's all remember the principle of presumption of innocence. These are just indictments.

Edited to add:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...WS01/811080305

The Hattiesburg paper has another follow-up article ^ reporting that other students who were present at / involved in the incident may be disciplined by the university -- not just the eleven who've been indicted.

The Hattiesburg paper has now updated the list of those indicted so that it's complete:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...WS01/811120311

Once again, please remember the presumption of innocence; these are just indictments.

Edited to add: A more recent story on the same paper's site says that three people were allegedly hazed, not two, as previously reported:

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/a...811140312/1002

This past month, the SEC (supreme executive committee, Kappa Sigma's governing body) expelled the chapter at Southern Miss. and also each and every undergraduate brother at said chapter. (read it in an e-mail) this is good information. I am a Kappa Sigma.

wow

I attended District Conclave recently, and the issue of little sisters came up.

Apparently, it's not just protection of girls from becoming official sex objects. In the 70s, groups of women sued Kappa Sigma because they were participating in events and were not allowed to initiate, although as "little sisters" they were unofficially recognized as members. Kappa Sigma maintained the fellowship of Brothers was for men, not everybody who wanted it. Kappa Sig lost, and as a result little sisters were outlawed, so that they would not have the legal backing that they were participating unofficially.

If you claim to have little sisters who participate in similar pledgeship rituals, you are violating the Code of Conduct of Kappa Sigma and you could be up for membership review. I'm very big on rules and order (much to the disdain of some of my fellow brothers) and I'd be upset if other people, who weren't part of the fraternity, sued to be allowed to initiate. I may do "Greek" stuff, but I don't demand to be initiated into Sigma Chi. There are options for girls who want to be Greeks, and it seems pretty hokey to want to be Kappa Sigmas.

This is totally different from sweethearts. If your girlfriend bakes cookies for a party, she's not a little sister. If she's a nametag hostess, she's not automatcally a sex toy or a legal member.

Thomas

This is 100% accurate. Our new code of conduct that was passed around to the chapters has a section based on little sister programs. If you have a sanctioned program, you were given 60 days to tell the district grandmasters of your district with no penalties, outside of that 60 days, you could easily be up for expulsion. no questions asked.

I am a Pike at USM, our house is right next door to Kappa Sigma, I also knew DG who was hospitalized very well, I've known her since middle school actually.

I'm still unsure of what happened, I am just happy that she made a full recovery. She is still attending USM and is still a member of Delta Gamma.. People involved were charged with attempted manslaughter and a hefty fine.. Trials haven't occured yet.

I have friends who are Kappa Sigmas and I do feel sorry for them a bit. They all moved into The Cottages, which is basically a gated townhouse community and they are having parties and such using the name Sig Nation.. Nationals isn't too happy about that and has been asking students to contact them if they are using the Kappa Sigma name at events..

The backlash is kind of a good one. Hazing is still predominant in the deep south for some reason.. and now Greek Life has made changes as to where hazing is very hard to do, and Initiation week (hell week) is basically going to have to be non hazing.. They set up a window in which we must initiate our pledges.. there recommended week is 12-18th of January.. during that time they will be doing walkthroughts during the day but at 5pm they will stop to respect our rituals.. but if they suspect hazing University Police will be involved.

It's not bad nor good.. it's just alot of precautions are made now, little sisters are also abolished and I know sororties are making sure none agree to be little sisters.. The reason alot of nationals bans them, as I'm sure it was mentioned, is because by initating them into being a "little sis" and having them involved as a partial member makes them..a partial member.. which makes it difficult for the fraternity to be an all male fraternity.

Anyhow,

USM greek life is making changes.

Thanks guys.

Thanks for the update, TAPike.