[DeltAlum]

This is interesting.

I would rather see the groups cooperate for a number of reasons, especially if there was, in fact, an assault. That's pretty serious stuff.

On the other hand, the ongoing university investigation creates a kind of "double jeopardy" (not in the legal sense of the word) which is troubling in a town like "The Peoples Republic of Boulder" as it is sometimes called in these parts. Others call it, "thirty-five square miles, surrounded by reality."

The university/Greek/town relationship there is strained at best. Although the police department there has taken its' lumps for the sterling handling of the Jon Benet Ramsey case, I would feel more comfortable for them to find one way or another so there can't be some kind of university "kangaroo court." The university administration seems to have a purposful "hands off and let them hang themselves, then we'll close them," attitude.

All of which sounds like constructing a circular argument. But, that's Boulder. Due to that, I think I'd rather see this handled by the cops and courts where there is at least due process.

Colorado Daily
University of Colorado
December 11, 2001

Police stonewalled at U. Colorado

By Jessika Fruchter, Colorado Daily

Boulder, Colo., police have stopped investigating the alcohol
overdoses of two underage women after the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority
and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, who are both believed to be
involved, refused to cooperate with police.

According to authorities, the Oct. 29 incident was initially believed
to be a hazing ritual, but was later determined to be a
post-initiation sorority event, involving 20 to 25 newly initiated
Kappa Alpha sorority sisters.

The women met at Farrand Field on the University of Colorado campus
and were eventually brought to a party at the Phi Gamma Delta
fraternity's house. After the party, the women were dropped off at
their respective dormitories. The two women in question, who are 17
and 18 years old, were transported to Boulder Community Hospital
shortly thereafter and treated for alcohol poisoning. The incident
has been investigated by Boulder police and the sorority's national
office and is still being investigated by University officials.

While the sorority's national office has imposed sanctions on Kappa
Alpha Theta, Boulder police say their investigation of underage
drinking has come to an end because the sorority and the Phi Gamma
Delta fraternity have remained tight-lipped about the specifics.

"Initially the sorority was pretty cooperative," said Boulder police
Detective Jeff Kessler. "But then they decided they didn't want to
give names out."

Kessler said he thought the chapter's decision came after receiving
direction from the sorority's national office.

"I guess they thought they had taken care of the problem internally,"
he said. "I can kind of understand that Š but, I know that there are
more people (involved)."

Kessler added that he had repeatedly contacted the Phi Gamma Delta
fraternity and that officials would not return his calls.

"I finally contacted their advisers and they had no idea what was
going on," he said. "I definitely got the impression they (the
fraternity members) were keeping them in the dark."

Despite Kessler's frustration, at least one CU administrator seems
satisfied with the sorority's cooperation.

Bob Maust, principal investigator for CU's Matter of Degree program,
an alcohol-education program, said he thought the sorority had done
their part in addressing the issue.

He noted that as part of their punishment, Kappa Alpha Theta has been
required by its national office to sponsor an alcohol education
program for the entire greek community.

Maust added that sororities and fraternities are independent from the
University, as many of the other student organizations are.

"(For that reason) the sorority handled this matter internally," he said.

To date Boulder police have identified sorority members Katherine
Elizabeth Koban, 19 years old, and Cameron King Reed, 19 years old,
as being involved.

Kessler said he felt certain more people were involved with the Oct.
29 incident, but said no one could be identified.

Koban and Reed were issued summons for unlawfully procuring alcohol for minors.

Kessler said the charge carries a fine of only $ 100 dollars, but
noted that the women may also be subject to sanctions from CU's
office of judicial affairs.

"The university can not take action against an organization," he
said. "But, they can take action against individual people."

(C) 2001 Colorado Daily