Even Safe Sex rush parties cause trouble at NKU

[hoosier]

'Safe sex party,' Jell-O wrestling party cited

By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - Two fraternities at Northern Kentucky University will be sanctioned after hosting a "safe sex party" in the campus ballroom and a Jell-O wrestling contest on the campus plaza.

Sanctions could range from a warning to suspension, said Dean of Students Kent Kelso.

"We are attempting to get the leaders and advisers for the two fraternities together so we can present our findings and concerns to them," he said. "I don't want them to find out by reading it in the newspaper."

The parties took place during Rush Week in mid-September.

He said the school investigated rumors about the parties. Results of the investigation will be made public in the next couple of weeks.

Kelso said all those who took part in the two events did so willingly. They were designed to recruit students to join a fraternity.

"Nevertheless, there will be consequences for what I consider poor judgment shown on the part of both groups," he said. "These are not the type of activities the university wants to see during (rush). They do not promote the values of the organization."

Tau Kappa Epsilon hosted the safe sex party. Its president, Kyle Hayes, has said the event was intended to be educational and fun, but not sexual. Safe-sex brochures and condoms were distributed.

Phi Kappa Tau President Richard Watson has defended the party that featured wrestling in Jell-O, saying it wasn't designed to be humiliating. Women and men wrestled.

Representatives from the fraternities couldn't be reached Thursday for comment.

Jon Streyle, an NKU freshman, said that he wasn't offended by the events. "I don't see what's so bad," he said.

"They had their clothes on. I was there. They show Jell-O wrestling on MTV all the time, and they are in bikinis."