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Should evidence be turned over?
Sigma Nu nationals issued court order
The Staff (campus newsp.)
Posted: 1/22/07
Rutherford County has issued a court order to Sigma Nu national headquarters for documents pertaining to the investigation on claims of hazing at the MTSU chapter.
"Depending on the information the headquarters can provide to us, this will affect whether criminal charges will be filled," said Buddy Peaster, MTSU police chief.
According to Peaster, the investigation conducted by the national office was able to obtain the specifics of the hazing incidents and both the names of the perpetrators and victims.
"Typically, many times private companies or non-profit organizations need a judicial order to release information because some records might not necessarily fall under the open records act," Peaster said.
The incident of hazing has become a focus to both university administration and state law to be viewed as criminal acts, Peaster said.
"We feel like this is a responsibility," Peaster said. "Have there been any criminal acts, we will review them. We will have conversations with the victims, and depending on their interests and takes on following up, we will work with the victims to have a final resolution in criminal court.
Concerning the revocation of the Theta Iota charter, both the chapter and the university are working to reverse the national decision.
"We are helping the chapter gather letters of appeal and assisting both the active and alumni chapter to work with the nationals to bring Sigma Nu back to campus," said Gentry McCreary, director of Greek Life.
Judicial Affairs conducted a preliminary investigation into the allegations, but a more thorough investigation was conducted last year, McCreary said. MTSU will work with Sigma Nu to conduct a university investigation when the information the national office holds becomes known.
"If we receive the names, we will conduct an investigation, and they will be brought before Judicial Affairs," McCreary said. "Hazing is against MTSU student policies and against the law, and we will run the responsible individuals through the judicial system and hold them accountable."
While the office of Greek Life has no formal power to conduct an investigation, Gentry said the office always works in partnership with Judicial Affairs.
"As for the charter being revoked, we are working to get that decision reversed, but if, in the end, the national office decides that it is best, we will support their decision, although we disagree with it," McCreary said.
According to a press release issued by Sigma Nu nationals, the fraternity will stand with their decision to revoke the Theta Iota charter, following their investigation.
"Sigma Nu Fraternity always seeks to work in partnership with host institutions, and we did so in this matter," said John Pitts, Sigma Nu national president in the press release.
"Our decision is in keeping with the fraternity's fundamental principles. We look forward to the day when Sigma Nu can be re-established at Middle Tennessee State University," Pitts said.
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