U. of Wyoming: Temporary Suspension of Sigma Nu Chapter (Alleged Alcohol Violations)

exlurker · #1 10-04-2007, 06:12 PM

The Sigma Nu chapter at Wyoming is temporarily suspended and temporarily de-recognized for alleged alcohol-related violations. The university’s press release:

http://www.uwyo.edu/news/showrelease.asp?id=17744

Brief excerpts from the press release:

Oct. 4, 2007 -- The University of Wyoming has issued a temporary suspension of all activities of Sigma Nu fraternity and has temporarily revoked Sigma Nu's status as a UW Recognized Student Organization, pending university disciplinary proceedings.

These actions are in response to evidence that members of the fraternity engaged in activities that violated the Student Code of Conduct by endangering the health and well-being of UW students. The evidence indicates that several UW students were dangerously intoxicated at a fraternity event.

The press release quotes the dean of students as saying, “ . . . members of our Greek community, upon learning of these activities, reported the behavior to us."

exlurker · #2 10-06-2007, 05:14 PM

The October 6, 2007 online issue of the Jackson Hole paper reports varied reactions to the suspension and gives a few more details about what the university and Sigma Nu national are doing:

http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/a...6c0003420c.txt

DGTess · #3 10-07-2007, 05:24 PM

I'm extremely surprised, but pleasantly so, that at least the school allows alcohol at its functions. It shows it's willingness to treat students as adults.

Sorry this had to happen. But these things are life lessons. If the investigations and consequences are held openly, students can realize that actions have consequences, and that's an important learning experience.

banditone · #4 10-07-2007, 05:53 PM

In fact, members of our Greek community, upon learning of these activities, reported the behavior to us."

Haha, yeah, I bet they did. Stupid thing to do in my opinion. You just create an atmosphere where every frat is going to be watching and willing to rat each other out. Hurts the whole greek community there.

DeltAlum · #5 10-07-2007, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banditone

In fact, members of our Greek community, upon learning of these activities, reported the behavior to us."

Haha, yeah, I bet they did. Stupid thing to do in my opinion. You just create an atmosphere where every frat is going to be watching and willing to rat each other out. Hurts the whole greek community there.

It could also create an atmosphere where the university administration has some degree of trust in Greek Life.

jon1856 · #6 10-07-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

It could also create an atmosphere where the university administration has some degree of trust in Greek Life.

I agree with you DA. Should one do the Adult thing and pont out the bad egg before you get lumped in with it or do you do the kid thing and play along with it?
Doing the adult thing would build up the trust factor a bit more.

AGDee · #7 10-07-2007, 07:19 PM

While I don't think it's bad for one greek organization to report another, I do hope that there is more evidence than someone saying "There were a bunch of really drunk guys at ABC last night." I could see that becoming a recipe for disaster if rival fraternities decided to report things and sanctions are made without any other evidence.

tmorton3 · #8 02-20-2008, 08:10 PM

It wasn't really the nationals, it was the university officials. Those who talk so low of us don't even know us. I'd ask of them, just spend one day in our house. They act as though we are unstable or something... We're by far the best maintained fraternity on campus. We were just put in a sticky situation.

Kevin · #9 02-20-2008, 10:44 PM

Brother Morton,

To me, it sounds like the big story here is that your campus has an unhealthy 'snitch' mentality. Unless we're talking bigtime RM issues, this one-upping vs. other organizations by reporting issues to the Greek Life office isn't going to go anywhere anyone wants to go.

My hope is that you guys put this behind you and have some frank, off-the-record chats with fellow IFC organizations regarding the direction you guys want greek life to take at UW. Today it may be the tri lambdas reporting you. Tomorrow, it's you reporting them. What comes around goes around -- and all of it reflects poorly upon greek life as a whole.

Whatever happened and whether it is serious or not is between your chapter and the greek life office. From the sound of things, I think there are bigger fish to fry.

Tom Earp · #10 02-21-2008, 02:05 PM

If Greeks are in the minority on each and every campus, why fight among each other and cause a wall to be built between each other?

KyleMcGuire1983 · #11 02-21-2008, 04:39 AM

Well....not to be too biased here (as I'm a Sigma Nu and all) but yeah, I completely understand the snitching culture some IFCs have and it's NOT healthy.

Personally had I seen a bad alcohol situation at another fraternity's house I would try to assist the sober actives of that chapter in getting medical attention to the victim (or overdrinking idiot) and be quiet about it. I highly doubt I'd tell the administration....that's just un-needed attention. When people overdrink it's rarely because a "frat guy" is force feeding them, when that IS the case it's called hazing and it's not tolerated.

jon1856 · #12 02-21-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleMcGuire1983

Well....not to be too biased here (as I'm a Sigma Nu and all) but yeah, I completely understand the snitching culture some IFCs have and it's NOT healthy.

Personally had I seen a bad alcohol situation at another fraternity's house I would try to assist the sober actives of that chapter in getting medical attention to the victim (or over drinking idiot) and be quiet about it. I highly doubt I'd tell the administration....that's just un-needed attention. When people over drink it's rarely because a "frat guy" is force feeding them, when that IS the case it's called hazing and it's not tolerated.

Based on something that happened at my late, formally great chapter, I looked to see what Wyoming's hazing laws said. Found out Wyoming is one of the very few states without anti-hazing laws.
However, the stories posted above indicate that Sigma Nu has alcohol policies as does the school within the code of conduct (which also has anti-hazing provisions)
Link for school's code is contained on this page: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/dos/progra...icial/code.asp
A. Offenses Involving Alcohol and Drugs.

1. Use, possession or distribution of illegal drugs or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.

2. Public intoxication or the use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by law and University policies, rules and regulations.

3. Unauthorized selling, directly or indirectly (such as through donations or solicitations), of alcoholic beverages on University premises is prohibited. This restriction shall include the exchange of tickets for alcoholic beverages or any other means by which alcoholic beverages are provided for a consideration of cash or other method of exchange.

4. Unauthorized public advertisement of alcohol related functions or parties on University premises.

II. DEFINITIONS: For purposes of The Student Code of Conduct:

F. “Hazing,” refers to an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in a group, team or organization.

We could continue this debate on/about the pros and cons of being a tattle tail or we can discuss R/M issues and hazing.

I say hazing because that was a charge added to an incident at my old
chapter when the fire department found under age drunk pledges in the
house.

And remember that it was not too long ago that a Fraternity member
died from alcohol poisoning.

banditone · #13 02-21-2008, 01:11 PM

On our campus I remember having a party and drinking it up with some active KE's. We did many shots, and got them fall down drunk. We then called their house and told their pledges to come carry them home.

True story.

Kevin · #14 02-21-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon1856

Based on something that happened at my late, formally great chapter, I looked to see what Wyoming's hazing laws said. Found out Wyoming is one of the very few states without anti-hazing laws.
However, the stories posted above indicate that Sigma Nu has alcohol policies as does the school within the code of conduct (which also has anti-hazing provisions)
Link for school's code is contained on this page: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/dos/progra...icial/code.asp
A. Offenses Involving Alcohol and Drugs.

1. Use, possession or distribution of illegal drugs or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.

2. Public intoxication or the use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by law and University policies, rules and regulations.

3. Unauthorized selling, directly or indirectly (such as through donations or solicitations), of alcoholic beverages on University premises is prohibited. This restriction shall include the exchange of tickets for alcoholic beverages or any other means by which alcoholic beverages are provided for a consideration of cash or other method of exchange.

4. Unauthorized public advertisement of alcohol related functions or parties on University premises.

II. DEFINITIONS: For purposes of The Student Code of Conduct:

F. “Hazing,” refers toan act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in a group, team or organization.

We could continue this debate on/about the pros and cons of being a tattle tail or we can discuss R/M issues and hazing.

I say hazing because that was a charge added to an incident at my old
chapter when the fire department found under age drunk pledges in the
house.

And remember that it was not too long ago that a Fraternity member
died from alcohol poisoning.

I'm quite certain that these guys know they did a bad thing and have taken internal steps to rectify the situation. An online confession or discussion about the particulars of whatever went on doesn't help anyone. Such a discussion may even cause the chapter more harm or breach the agreement they made with the school.

It looks like this thing was handled through the house corporation, the national fraternity and the school. If they're all happy with things, so am I.

jon1856 · #15 02-21-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

I'm quite certain that these guys know they did a bad thing and have taken internal steps to rectify the situation. An online confession or discussion about the particulars of whatever went on doesn't help anyone. Such a discussion may even cause the chapter more harm or breach the agreement they made with the school.

It looks like this thing was handled through the house corporation, the national fraternity and the school. If they're all happy with things, so am I.

Kevin; I would agree with you.
However judging solely on posting from someone claiming to be a Brother there, does not seem to me that there is an understanding.

And the point of my posting was not to cause a discussion per se on the particulars of the event but to get away from the grade school level of snitching.

From my experiences covering things up, as has been suggested here, as if they never happened generally only makes things worse at so many levels.