Sigma Pi, Clarion: 80 minors face charges

[hoosier]

(Note that the sorority co-host's name isn't mentioned)


Police raid Clarion University fraternity; more than 80 minors face charges
By ERIN SCHATTAUER

Most to be cited with underage drinking, police say


A late-night raid at a Clarion University fraternity house nabbed dozens of underage drinkers Thursday at a soiree that could potentially cost the organization its charter.

Charges are pending against 87 people and the fraternity, following an 11:45 p.m. raid at the Sigma Pi fraternity house, a private, off-campus house, state police in Clarion said.

Thursday’s raid was the largest the university has seen in a number of years, a university spokesman said.

Two fraternity members and the fraternity itself will be charged with the sale of alcoholic beverages without a license, according to police. During the investigation, 84 minors were discovered to have consumed alcoholic beverages and will be cited, police said.

One of the minors was also found to be in possession of a false identification card, police said.

Criminal mischief charges also will be filed against Stephen M. Scott, 19, of Bethel Park, who police say kicked and broke a kitchen cabinet shelf at the fraternity house located at 84 Fraternity Drive.

Members of a sorority at the university were also involved in the incident, a university spokesman. Both Sigma Pi and the sorority could face consequences at the school and through their national organizations.

“The gathering that was raided Thursday night was not allowed under university policy,” spokesman Ron Wilshire said in written statement.

State police in Clarion and the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement’s Punxsutawney district office conducted the investigation into the sale of alcoholic beverages without a license. State police applauded Clarion University personnel whom, they say, “assisted in the investigation and helped to ensure that all involved individuals had safe transportation from the scene.”

“All students who are charged criminally while enrolled at the school must also go through a university-run judicial review supervised by the Office of Judicial and Mediation Services,” Wilshire said.

“A board of students, faculty, administrators and staff hears each case and the board or an administrative hearing officer then makes a determination as to punishment, if necessary,” he said. “The penalties can range from counseling and alcohol education programs and probation to suspension or expulsion from the university.”

The fraternity’s fate is uncertain for now.

“The Greek organizations involved in the incident will also face judicial board review and could face actions such as mandatory alcohol education programs to removal of official recognition by the university,” Wilshire said.

The national offices of the fraternity and sorority chapters will also review the incident. The Greek organizations could face probation or even have their national affiliations revoked, Wilshire said.

In his statement, Wilshire touted a number of programs the campus provides to inform its students of the consequences of underage drinking.

An adviser to the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) talks to fraternity members each year about the consequences for poor decision-making and risk management associated with fraternities, Wilshire said.

Educational programs, including an online alcohol education course and a course on drinking and drugs, are also part of the mix, he said. The college also hosts a series of campus-wide speakers who discuss the dangers of alcohol and drugs each year.

Residence hall programs and information through newspapers and posters offer information during “key drinking times” like Autumn Leaf Festival and spring break and an annual alcohol screening service for high-risk drinking behavior are provided by the university.

The university is also applying for grant money with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education for high risk drinking prevention efforts, Wilshire said.

Sigma Pi made news in October when the house caught fire accidentally after a faulty halogen lamp ignited clothes and a cupboard.

No one was injured in the blaze that severely damaged the house and caused about $8,000 in damages. All 12 residents of the house displaced for a brief period of time.

[fire1977]

Very smart.

I guess the whole "clarion call" for values congruence went completely over their heads.

[texas*princess]

that's def. interesting that only the fraternity was named. could it be possible that they didn't know which sorority it was before presstime?

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by texas*princess
that's def. interesting that only the fraternity was named. could it be possible that they didn't know which sorority it was before presstime?

It could be that. Or it could be that someone is protecting the sorority for some reason.

Or it could just be real bad journalism.

[33girl]

I bet I can guess the sorority

and if it's who I think it is, I doubt very much that their nationals will yank them, and I don't think Sig Pi will get yanked either - they're the biggest fraternity there.

ETA now that I see where the article was from, DA's "real bad journalism" assessment is correct. They probably think using the word "soiree" makes up for it.

[33girl]

Originally posted by hoosier
State police applauded Clarion University personnel whom, they say, “assisted in the investigation and helped to ensure that all involved individuals had safe transportation from the scene.”

OK, this is messed up.

All GLO houses are off campus and this is what the student handbook states (sorry for the wonky returns):

Fraternity/Sorority Housing
While the university does not inspect, approve, supervise, or otherwise regulate non-university housing,
fraternity/sorority houses are subject to the authority of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
Therefore, a housing unit owned, leased, or under the control of a local chapter, an alumni group, or a national, may
be required by the Department of Labor and Industry to have a valid Certificate of Occupancy in order
to operate.
The determination of whether or not a housing unit is subject to this requirement is made by the Department of
Labor and Industry. Both fraternity/sorority groups and landlords should be aware that such jurisdiction may be
based on the residency of group members in a housing unit. Although the university does not assume any
responsibility for non-university housing, the director of Residence Life Services and the assistant director of
Campus Life are available to consult with fraternity/ sorority groups to assist in their compliance with relevant local
and state regulations.


How on earth can it be legal for university personnel to "assist in the investigation" of a housing unit described as above?

[PSK480]

Being Recognized Student Organizations, Clarion claims, authority over fraternities and sororities. They also claim the authority to enforce FIPG policy, which, all the fraternities on campus are members of. It sucks when they decided to do stuff like this but I also understand they are doing it to cover their a$$es.

oh and Sig Pi isn't largest on campus anymore, TKE is the largest and I think we're second largest.

*edited to add*
We can't handle lossing another fraternity but I can see the university pulling organizational recognition. With the current greek life status at Clarion I don't see a successful underground chapter functioning. It's hard enough with recognition.

[Tom Earp]

Amazing when some Schools have the head in the sand attitude while others are trying to work with Social Greeks in spending money to build Greek Courts or Areas.

Are these Schools so damn good that they can say, I am God and You as Greeks will not be allowed.

Who donates more money to schools than fellow Greeks?

It seems to be happening more and more frequently. But, a tide of voices when it comes to Money is not heard via The Greek Community or Students who will not go there but to other Schools.

It is really becoming sad when more and more Chapters screw up and make the total Greek Community look bad.

[33girl]

Originally posted by PSK480
Being Recognized Student Organizations, Clarion claims, authority over fraternities and sororities. They also claim the authority to enforce FIPG policy, which, all the fraternities on campus are members of. It sucks when they decided to do stuff like this but I also understand they are doing it to cover their a$$es.

oh and Sig Pi isn't largest on campus anymore, TKE is the largest and I think we're second largest.

*edited to add*
We can't handle lossing another fraternity but I can see the university pulling organizational recognition. With the current greek life status at Clarion I don't see a successful underground chapter functioning. It's hard enough with recognition.

My point was that as they do not recognize ANY off campus GLO housing - how can they "investigate" it? I'm not sure who owns those houses, but I would think he as a landlord would not be happy about having his property which is in no way affiliated with the university scrutinized, investigated or infiltrated by the university. They can discipline students if it's found they've done something criminal (like drinking underage) but they cannot police an off campus living situation. Simply because the house has fraternity members in it does not mean the school can have a greater degree of oversight than they would at say University Apartments. I also don't think being a RSO has a thing to do with it. If they busted a party where the majority of attendees were members of (example) the newspaper staff, I doubt very much the newspaper's recognition would be pulled.

Considering TKE ran underground for all those years and they weren't even...how shall I say...that far up on the totem pole, I honestly don't think Sig Pi would have any trouble doing it, especially since they've done something that most students really don't consider morally wrong (as opposed to hazing or the like).

[gpb1874]

as a campus professional, i do think that they can investigate what happens in an off -campus b/c they are an RSO. i, personally, would also investigate a party by a non-greek group. but that's me and not every advisor or campus is like that. in fact, for some camuses, the social/alcohol policy only applies to greeks. i feel that is wrong too. now back to the topic......

universities have a desire to keep students safe and follow the rules. when they continually disregard rules, i believe the univ can make the decision to stop the offensive behavior even if they have to go off campus. i wouldn't do that in the first instance of a problem, but when repeated, i probably would. i would also investigate if 2 fraternity guys (or any other students) got in a fight at a girl's place off campus or at a bar or wherever.

not trying to step on toes, just want to point out that universities are able to discipline student behavior whether on or off campus. it's in the interest of keeping an eye out for the well-being of the student. sure, univ action can be sketchy at times, but if we never able to do anything, we couldn't offer help to students who tried to comitt suicide off campus or who got into a car accident driving home, etc b/c it didn't happen on campus.

just my 2 cents

[33girl]

Originally posted by gpb1874
universities have a desire to keep students safe and follow the rules. when they continually disregard rules, i believe the univ can make the decision to stop the offensive behavior even if they have to go off campus. i wouldn't do that in the first instance of a problem, but when repeated, i probably would. i would also investigate if 2 fraternity guys (or any other students) got in a fight at a girl's place off campus or at a bar or wherever.

not trying to step on toes, just want to point out that universities are able to discipline student behavior whether on or off campus. it's in the interest of keeping an eye out for the well-being of the student. sure, univ action can be sketchy at times, but if we never able to do anything, we couldn't offer help to students who tried to comitt suicide off campus or who got into a car accident driving home, etc b/c it didn't happen on campus.

just my 2 cents

The students aren't the only ones involved, the landlords are involved as well. They are having their private property encroached on by an entity that has no jurisdiction over them.

No off campus student housing at this school is "approved" in any way by the university - once you are off campus, you are on your own, the uni MIGHT help you find legal help if you get in a landlord dispute, but I'm probably being optimistic.

As far as a car accident or the suicide example - that is apples and oranges for many reasons. The car accident has already happened and is in the police records. If a student tries to kill themselves in a dorm they often are required to go get help at the campus mental health center - off campus, it's up to you. You can use the MHC as you see fit, because you're a paying student. It has nothing to do with where an attempt occurred.

[BSUPhiSig'92]

On our campus, while the University does not recognize off-campus housing ( there's only one house), the Student Code of Conduct states that student organizations may be held accountable for violations that occur on or off-campus. I'm guessing something like this allows Clarion to investigate.
As far as the housing issue is concerned, I'm certain the local authority will be taking that up with the landlord. I know when something happens with our students in town, the city expects the university to hold those students accountable.

[33girl]

Originally posted by BSUPhiSig'92
On our campus, while the University does not recognize off-campus housing ( there's only one house), the Student Code of Conduct states that student organizations may be held accountable for violations that occur on or off-campus. I'm guessing something like this allows Clarion to investigate.

That would be OK if the state or local cops had busted the party and then reported the students to the university. That's one thing. This makes it sound as though the university got involved before anything had been reported by the police - like they helped the police timewise and $$wise with a sting. IMO, the university (which incidentally is cutting a bunch of profs due to budget constraints) has other issues they should be focusing on.

[DeltAlum]

What they're probably concentrating, at least in part, on are the fabled "Town/Gown" relationships.

They're almost always strained and almost always something both sides work on and try to cooperate.

[BSUPhiSig'92]

Re-reading the article, it sounds to me like local police conducted the raid, and the university is following up on it.