Old Dominion Student Sues Fraternity

exlurker · #1 10-15-2004, 08:26 PM

You know, totally aside from the three million dollars that the suit is asking for, according to the Oct. 13 Virginian-Pilot's story --

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories...707&ran=217630

-- I wonder why the Old Dominion student isn't also suing the entity that owns or controls the "graveyard" where some of the activities allegedly took place -- I stress that these are allegation in a lawsuit. I mean, I am assuming that the fraternity made arrangements with whoever owns or operats or is responsible for the "graveyard" to hold an event there, right? So wouldn't that entity share in the responsibility for safety? Of course, it still seems odd to me that anyone responsible for a "graveyard" would approve of an event (whether "team building" or hazing) that required people to bring along pornography. But maybe they felt it was just borderline tasteless, and not necessarily something closer to disrespect for the dead or desecration. And for all I know, maybe some things occurred elsewhere, not in the "graveyard."

At any rate, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out, if indeed it goes much of anywhere.

James · #2 10-15-2004, 08:55 PM

Are you being sarcastic? What graveyard gives permission to a fraternity to host events after dark?

exlurker · #3 10-16-2004, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by James
. . . What graveyard gives permission to a fraternity to host events after dark?

But James, if the Pi Kappa Alphas didn't have permission, and the guys just gathered in the graveyard with the rope, women's underwear, pornography, and the other stuff mentioned in the article about the lawsuit, wouldn't that be trespassing? That doesn't sound very gentlemanly. Maybe Virginia's laws on trespassing are different, though.

Tom Earp · #4 10-16-2004, 03:43 PM

It can happen, as My Chapter had a function at a cemetary, no hazing involved, but something I thought was stupid and got a stop put to it.

This was an on going thing that the people knew about but turned a eye as long as no trouble.

Still, all in all, this was stupidity at its worst. Damn, when will some of these KIDs learn!!!!!!

Yours, Ours or Mine, maddening and saddening.

#5 10-16-2004, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by exlurker
But James, if the Pi Kappa Alphas didn't have permission, and the guys just gathered in the graveyard with the rope, women's underwear, pornography, and the other stuff mentioned in the article about the lawsuit, wouldn't that be trespassing? That doesn't sound very gentlemanly. Maybe Virginia's laws on trespassing are different, though.

If anything, trespassing is the least of their worries.

I really don't see anything gentlemanly in porn or making your pledges consume hot sauce.

Munchkin03 · #6 10-17-2004, 11:24 AM

$3 million, along with the loss of their charter, might just be the price these idiot kids pay for their stupidity and irresponsibility.

Oh well.

mmcat · #7 10-17-2004, 10:25 PM

my my my....
it just keeps going
when will folks figure this one out?
how sad.

Kevin · #8 10-18-2004, 12:21 PM

3M for damages?

I seriously doubt he'll get anything close to that. As far as trespassing goes, at least in my state, you have to first be in some way "forbidden" to enter the property.

alfuzzxi · #9 11-08-2004, 07:52 PM

I'm a student at Old Dominion University. I was not surprised that this happened. Their chapter in my opinion in the last couple of years has gotten to the point where everyone is telling them how great they are, and I think that they thought they were invisible; that it wouldn't happen to them. They also just got in trouble at the beginning of this semester for printing a calender that has different sorority girls posing in it. I don't feel bad for them because after what happened the semester before, knowing that they had a potential lawsuit on their hands why would they produce a tacky calender... yea like that's gonna help their situation.

ZTABullwinkle · #10 11-08-2004, 08:05 PM

I also attend ODU, and am very surprised about this. I don't recall ever seeing this article in the paper up here. The Pikes that I know from Zeta Iota are wonderful gentlemen. Not only have they been Greek Organization/IFC Organization of the year several times, but I recall them winning a big award at a National Convention very recently.

Don't get me wrong, ODU doesn't mess with hazing. We had a problem with a chapter several years ago where a pledge died from alcohol. Needless to say, there was a lawsuit and the chapter is no longer on campus.

I am totally shocked....

Tim N · #11 11-23-2004, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by James
Are you being sarcastic? What graveyard gives permission to a fraternity to host events after dark?

My house is given permission by the city police to be in both a park and graveyard after dark. We call them up and let them up that day and let them know. Both sites are very important to the house and the graveyard has been a tradition for over 110 years.
The problem is what the house in the article was doing was stupid. It didnt matter where they hazed those kids that way.