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Chi Phis charged on multiple counts
Frat does not accept criminal behavior
By JUANITA COUSINS
Published , November 15, 2006, 06:00:01 AM EDT
A Chi Phi member already on probation for flashing pornography at passers-by in September was arrested early Tuesday and charged with a felony count of criminal damage.
University Police arrested Chi Phi members Harris Thomas Culley and Ryan Andrew Smith at about 2:53 a.m. when an officer saw them running from the Baptist Campus Ministries on Lumpkin Street after a window of the building was broken, a police report said.
This is the second time a Chi Phi member involved with the porn incident at Tate has gotten into further trouble.
Athens-Clarke County Police arrested Drewry Allen Littlewood Oct. 11 and charged him with underage possession of alcohol.
The Office of Judicial Programs found Littlewood, Culley and five other Chi Phi members guilty of violating the University’s sexual harassment policy in September and placed them on one year of probation.
“Any violation of University Conduct Regulations while on probation may result in suspension from the University,” the resolution signed by the men on Sept. 14 said.
Claudia Shamp, director of Greek Life, said Littlewood, Smith and Culley’s actions have been individual situations, but she has had conversations with the chapter president and advisers.
“It obviously is a concern when it keeps popping up,” said Shamp, whose son is a member of Chi Phi. “Some people within the group seem to be having issues.”
A University officer was patrolling campus Tuesday morning when he heard the sound of breaking glass coming from the Baptist Campus Ministries.
According to the report, he saw Culley and Smith running from the building down Hull Street and stopped them.
The officer smelled alcohol on their breath and arrested the men.
Culley was charged with second-degree criminal damage to property, underage possession of alcohol and possession of a fake ID. Smith was charged with underage possession of alcohol and possession of a fake ID.
Both were released on bail from ACC jail by noon Tuesday, but efforts to reach them were unsuccessful.
Matthew Hughes, president of Chi Phi, said Culley has been removed from the chapter and Smith is suspended.
“At Chi Phi we do not tolerate behavior like that,” he said.
Hughes said he has done everything to communicate his fraternity’s expectations to its members.
“We had a situation that occurred this fall and since then we have taken the necessary actions,” Hughes said. “We have made it very clear to the members of the chapter what behavior is acceptable.”
Wakeford Thompson, Interfraternity Council vice president for public relations, said IFC knows of the Tuesday night incident but has not prepared a statement.
But Chi Phi’s repeated offenses are hitting a sour note with other University leaders.
Pat Daugherty, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, said she found the number of incidents “very concerning.”
“Certainly when a group or person is on probation, it is very serious when they get into trouble again,” Daugherty said. “We will be looking at it closely and going through the proper judicial channels.”
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