[AOII Angel]

I can tell you that the 5 sororities sanctioned are very angry about the sanctions which are deemed to be excessively harsh. The problem started because the recruitment counselors decided to get drunk before bids were handed out that day. Apparently this is a stupid "tradition" that the girls let get way out of control. Every sorority was involved including AGD, KD and AXD so they were sanctioned. The other sororities were probated because there were supposedly worse offenses. I know there was at least one group that was openly drinking at the Bid Day "Running of the Bulls" but I know for a fact that AOII was not since we actually had two alumnae advisors present who witnessed the whole thing. The university was notified of the drinking by an advisor for one of the groups so Panhellenic was not allowed to handle this internally. Towson was also mad that some girls got hurt during the festivities including a NM of one group who was taken off the field by EMS and sent to the hospital with a concussion. I understand that the tradition is for the girls to tackle the new members as they run toward their new group. Apparently all groups participate and the fraternity men sit on the sidelines and egg it all on. Running of the Bulls will never occur again. (I'm thankful for that!) The groups on probation are allowed to submit an appeal. Towson is holding fast to punishing the whole group for the offense of a very few. It's unfortunate for the NMs of these groups and the responsible women who did not drink on bid day. AOII actually did a great job of investigating and assigning sanctions to our members that were involved. They are understandably embarrassed, but they'll survive and hopefully learn a big lesson.