[DeltAlum]

OK, let's see if I've got this right.

Twenty some undergraduates just happen to be pledges of the same fraternity, and just happen to begin the evening at the fraternity house, and just happen to get into trouble on that same night -- and we wonder why the possibility that it was a fraternity event and the name of the fraternity is mentioned in a newspaper story?

Of course it would! How big of a coincidence would that be? If you were a cop or a reporter or a dean, what conclusion would you draw?

By the way, as I recall the article, the fraternity hasn't been charged with anything -- it's being investigated. At least so far. To quote, "He said the office will conduct its own investigations — one for each individual student and one to see to what extent, IF ANY (my caps), the Sigma Nu fraternity played a role."

The use of the word "ritual" may be an unfortunate choice of words, but let's remember that the word can be used for occurrances other than initiation(s).

As for using the names of those involved -- of course they would be used. It's part of the story. It's journalism. They're being investigated! Right? You've heard of "Who, what, when, why, etc.?

Come on, folks. At least part of this is Grand Theft. Part of it, allegedly, is resisting arrest. At least one of those has to be a felony. Felony. Not prank. Not game. Felony. Stealing (or attemping to steal) stuff that costs a lot of money.

That's not allowed, whether you're in a fraternity or not.

The media isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but every time a fraternity or sorority is mentioned, we start pointing fingers at the nasty old reporters, editors, etc.

If we don't want our letters in the paper -- STOP BREAKING THE LAW!

Or do you really, honestly believe that a couple of people broke some laws, and the members of their pledge class just accidentally happened to be along?

Give me a break!

These guys screwed up! Even if it began as a prank, it turned into some serious lawbreaking.