Fraternity prank goes too far (Northern Colorado)

[LXAAlum]

From 11/9/04's Greeley Tribune:

A recent fraternity prank that went too far caused the University of Northern Colorado's Sigma Chi to clarify its ground rules for an annual event.

UNC police responded to a possible kidnapping on Nov. 1, when a university parking lot attendant saw several men grab another man, tie him up with duct tape and force him into a vehicle.

When police officers pulled the vehicle over, they learned that the fraternity brothers were taking part in an annual event where new members capture the fraternity's officers and take them out for a meal.

However, in the past, members would simply get the officers out of bed and take them to breakfast, said Jean Morrell, dean of students at UNC.

"This was certainly a prank by some of the new members," Morrell said. "It shouldn't have happened. It was in poor judgment."

However, Morrell said the fraternity's leaders reacted very quickly and appropriately to the event and no further action was taken by the university.

Police did not press charges because the fraternity member was a willing participant in the kidnapping.

Sigma Chi's president reported the event to Morrell and the Greek adviser and assured them he would clearly explain appropriate behavior for the event to all members, Morrell said.

The fraternity's president did not return a call seeking comment.

The fraternity's president also asked UNC's training and crime prevention officer to talk with all fraternities about safety and security at an Interfraterntity Council meeting.

Officers explained the danger of pulling such a stunt, said James Villalon, president of the council.

Although the police officers suspected it was a fraternity prank when they pulled the students over, had Greeley police officers responded, they likely would have reacted differently, he said.

"Especially given the climate for fraternities in the state, it is a very tense time," Villalon said. Police "are making sure that they are following every rule as closely as they can."

While the event did not fit the definition of hazing, it did violate university policy because it had the potential to endanger somebody's safety, Morrell said.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by LXAAlum
Although the police officers suspected it was a fraternity prank when they pulled the students over, had Greeley police officers responded, they likely would have reacted differently, he said.

These guys were pretty lucky in a lot of ways.