U of Florida: Grand Theft and Burglary Arrests

[exlurker]

Damage and theft at the Sigma Chi house at the U. of Florida have led to arrests on charges including grand theft and burglary, acording to articles in the Gainsville Sun (in the July 22, 2004 "Police Beat" section) and the UF Alligator. The men charged in the incident are identified as members of Phi Gamma Delta. Of course the case has not been settled, so at this point we are not talking about "guilt." Apparently there have been previous examples of problems and retaliation between the two fraternities -- like broken windows.

Links to articles:

http://gainesvillesun.com/apps/pbcs....LOCAL/40722010

http://www.alligator.org/edit/news/i...22arrests.html

Here's hoping that in the future more chapters will emphasize alternative ways of dealing with disputes and anger.

[OrmondBeachGirl]

I KNOW THEM KIDS... OMG RILEY AND COLLIN ARE SO NICE.... I mean I went to a formal with Collin.... Wow,, Can't wait to see them Aug 23

[Kevin]

As nice as they are, I hope they spend some time in jail for their stupidity.

What a dumbass thing to do.

[OrmondBeachGirl]

From what I hear,,, They are getting felony charges and prob expelled from UF... Fricken stupid... Oh well!!!

[AXOKatie]

Originally posted by OrmondBeachGirl
From what I hear,,, They are getting felony charges and prob expelled from UF... Fricken stupid... Oh well!!!

HA! you mean they're frickin' stupid...if it's true that is...why the hell would you do so much damage to someone's house just because you had an org. rivalry with them? that's just juvenile and excessive, if it really was those guys who trashed the place, they deserve to have charges incurred against them and suffer the consequences.

[Tom Earp]

No Spanking of Hands Here!

Charge them, and Disbar them from campus.

Sorry, this is intolerable!

A Fraternity broke into my Chapter House and took something very near and Dear ro Me.

I emailed the Chapter and their HDQ. It was returned damaged, and some members were expulled!

GOOD!

This kind of crap is uncalled for! Period!

[angelove]

UF suspends fraternity for 2 years over vandalism

Associated Press


GAINESVILLE, Fla. - A University of Florida fraternity has been suspended from campus for two years after three of its members allegedly vandalized the Sigma Chi fraternity house on July 11.

Phi Gamma Delta has been ordered to leave its house by Oct. 1 by the university's Judicial Affairs office.

President David Basadre said he did not know where his chapter would relocate.

"We are not focusing on a new house right now," he said. "We are still focusing on appeal options and the decision."

Three former Phi Gamma Delta members are accused of causing an estimated $3,000 in damages to the Sigma Chi Fraternity house after entering through an unsecured door.

Sigma Chi President Josh Perry said vandals stole trophies, tools, fire extinguishers, and personal files and broke door frames.

"I think it was initially a prank, but it escalated into an act of rage," he said.

The three members, who have been charged with burglary, have resigned and no longer are involved with the chapter, Basadre said, adding the fraternity feels it is being unfairly punished for the actions of men who are not a part of the fraternity anymore.

[hoosier]

I hope the Fijis get a lawyer, and fight this.

Sure, three members got drunk and messed up the SX house. Unless there was a Fiji meeting, and they passed a motion "Let's tear up the SX House", or unless the three vandals are major chapter officers, or unless the three were pledges forced to do it, the two-year suspension makes no sense.

[Tom Earp]

hoosier, I am sure I would feel the same way if it was a few members of My Chapter who did crap like this.

But, the common thing is, they are members of a certain Greek Organization. Therefore, they represent that Greek Organization.

[Firehouse]

Sorry, Tom. Gotta go with Hoosier on this one. I've seen too many power plays by mid-level self-righteous bureaucrats who love to punish fraternity guys in groups. NO GROUP PUNISHMENT is what every Greek organization should demand. The law is on the side of fair play and due process; unfortunately, the University is usually on the side of craven pandering to "activists". For stark examples, see recent cases at Texas A&M, Auburn and Georgia State. In each case, individuals did something stupid and the school tried to punish the whole fraternity (in Texas A&M's case it was a spirit club). GLO's with the manhood and the resolve to act will win every time (and did, in these cases). Unfortunately, cowardly Nationals often cave in, or the local undergrads don't get effective advice.
All that said, this behavior is pretty typical of FIJI at Florida over the last 30 years more or less. Still, it's just a couple of guys, and the chapters are large in Gainesville. There is a better way to handle the situation than with typical Draconian, self-aggrandizing pomp on the part of petty University administrators.

[AGDee]

While I agree that it is unfair to punish an entire fraternity for the unsanctioned actions of three, it has happened this way for a long time and will continue to happen. One you are an XYZ, most everything you do reflects on your Fraternity/Sorority to the community. This is a prime example of that. We have to emphasize to our members that they represent our organizations all the time. Since they dealt with their members quickly, it does seem as though the University is being too harsh and that the Fiji's should appeal. However, it sounded like this was a long time feud with things escalating over the years and perhaps this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Dee

[hoosier]

Can you name any campus group besides GLOs where the existence of the group can be threatened by the actions of a handful of members or non-members/pledges?

Sure, we claim to be leaders and to set the example, but what campus group doesn't claim some high purpose.

There is no group devoted to "Geography majors with less than 2.0 GPAs." There is probably a Geography Club (maybe even an honorary society, for the "A" students), sponsored by the top Geo profs, though.

We need to stop accepting stupid decrees from the Dean. We need to discipline our own. We need to hire lawyers to stand up for our rights.

[Firehouse]

Hear! Hear! Kudos to you, Hoosier.
Fraternities and Sororities are valuable alumni tools to any university, and there is no reason why Greeks and Administratiors can't get along. But, for far too long now self-righteous little mid-level functionaries have felt that they have the power to do virtually ANYTHING that pleases them to Greek organizations. Every time the Greeks fight back, they win. See Fraternal Law newsletter for specific cases.
Yes, we have to behave and, yes, we have a moral obligation to influence our members in a positive way and, no, we are not going to succeed by picking fights with the school just for the thrill of battle. But, too often undergraduates do not understand and are not told of their rights.
I think it would be an excellent idea for the fraternity system at a given university to retain counsel as a way of routinely dealing with hostile administrators and situations. We used to joke about it: the 50-ish dean sits at a table, having to undergo the fear of actually facing an adult for a change. The adult lawyer says something like, "You know, when I was in school twenty years ago I thought everyone in your office was a pompous ass and no one there was concerned about treating my chapter fairly. Of course, that doesn't have anything to do with the issue before us today, but just know that I am representing the fraternities in this matter and under no circumstances are you to contact any of their officers or leaders directly. Anything you have to say on this issue will be said to me. Now, what was it you had in mind?"

[hoosier]

Originally posted by Firehouse
The adult lawyer says something like, "You know, when I was in school twenty years ago I thought everyone in your office was a pompous ass and no one there was concerned about treating my chapter fairly. Of course, that doesn't have anything to do with the issue before us today, but just know that I am representing the fraternities in this matter and under no circumstances are you to contact any of their officers or leaders directly. Anything you have to say on this issue will be said to me. Now, what was it you had in mind?"

I luv it.

[mmcat]

ditto hoosier and firehouse.
this seems a bit excessive for the entire fraternity.