Northern Illinois U Pi Kappa Alpha: Arrest Warrants in Pledge Death Case
 

Arrest warrants have been issued after police investigation of the death – reportedly alcohol-related --of a Northern Illinois U. Pi Kappa Alpha pledge. There was, reportedly, an unsanctioned party or event for the fraternity’s pledges. See

http://mystateline.com/fulltext-news?nxd_id=371272

As usual, please remember the presumption of innocence.

Why are the still pledges this late in the semester?

My chapter doesn't initiate until after grades come back.

The incident happened in early November.

I know of some fraternities that allow this, but not all nationals let them do this. Considering the date in November however I can see it possibly for them to be pledges in any group.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,2931395.story

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...feed&track=rss

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,5073967.photo

I've noticed what may or may not be a trend (but yes, figuring out the "causation" aspect of the correlation is tricky to impossible), but groups like Pi Kappa Alpha which have flat insurance fees (I was told by someone from our HQ it's around $15K/year/chapter) regardless of membership seem to have more incidents than groups which charge each chapter a rate based on membership. Maybe it's indiscriminate membership selection to reach a certain number, maybe it's the fact that chapters can't financially afford to remove problem members due to the impact that'd have on everyone else's dues contributions?

That's my probably unfair and wildly speculative theory though.

It's also terribly interesting, so thanks for throwing it out there.

I visited NIU a few times as an undergrad, and their Greek system always seemed like the Wild Wild West. It's a strange campus, because it's not *really* a commuter school, but there's not really a residential hub, either. It astonished me that we had to drive to go to the bars.

I understand Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) does this as well and they seem to have a few incidents themselves.

Our rate is based upon our average roster size over a given period of time.

News reports are stating that about half of the brothers that have been charged have turned themselves in to the police.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crim...icle-1.1223405

Stark contrast of this thread versus a similar thread on another forum I follow. THAT thread says Greek life should be abolished and all fraternity/sorority members should be expelled :eyeroll:

I believe I know which forum and thread you're talking about. If you saw a certain Barnard Mom try to defend greeklife, you might know who she is.

I wondered if that might be you! That school + Greek life = you were the first person that came to mind :D There aren't many defenders of Greek life on there, and I never could understand why. It's almost sad how witch hunt-y it can get.

I've gotten private messages over there from some others who either lurk here on GC or post on both who figured out that was me...lol.

I typed out and deleted a few responses to the other forum. But last time I tried to defend greek life I was attacked so badly that I think there is still some blood dripping... And the crazy dad from Austin has no clue about anything.. (Just my take from a mom that is rushed..)