KA-MO cannon blast: it's probation

[hoosier]

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Cheers to the KA office for suporting common sense"

Harvey said Kappa Alpha did not consider revoking the charter of its MU chapter. "A bad decision-making on a couple of individuals should not penalize or affect the charter status of a chapter," he said.

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Frat punished in cannon blast
By NATE CARLISLE of the Tribune’s staff
Published Thursday, June 10, 2004

A University of Missouri-Columbia fraternity has been placed on probation and ordered to educate other students after a cannon explosion in its front yard.

The Kappa Alpha Order, however, did not lose its charter at MU.

The university and the Kappa Alpha national office confirmed this morning that the MU chapter is on social probation through the end of the 2004-05 academic year. Under MU’s definition, social probation means the fraternity cannot hold events that include alcohol.

Kappa Alpha also must lead a seminar for MU Greeks that discusses the cannon mishap. The national office is requiring its MU brothers to give a similar presentation for chapter presidents at other campuses.

"So basically, it’s an education session for the entire" Greek "system that basically sets up the scenario and points out the errors in the decision-making process, as it were, and will educate the other members of the Greek community on the consequences," said Stewart Harvey, a spokesman for the national office.

On April 29, a cannon exploded on Kappa Alpha’s lawn at College and University avenues. Police arrested three 21-year-olds, including the fraternity president and vice president.

Chapter President Seth R. Fagan, Vice President Daniel B. Dunn and member Nicholas A. Adkins were charged with reckless exploding and third-degree assault. Both violations are Class A misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. All three have pleaded not guilty in Boone County Circuit Court. Their cases are pending.

Kappa Alpha legend dates the cannon to the Civil War. A probable cause statement said Fagan admitted to police that he fired the cannon and that doing so was an annual tradition for the fraternity’s president.

Police said the fraternity members loaded fireworks in the cannon. The discharge sent black cast iron flying.

The assault charge is predicated on an 8-inch fragment crashing through the roof of the nearby five-story University Place Apartments, piercing the ceiling and floor of one level and landing on a table-tennis table during a game.

Neither Fagan, Dunn nor Adkins returned phone calls this morning.

Harvey said Kappa Alpha did not consider revoking the charter of its MU chapter. "A bad decision-making on a couple of individuals should not penalize or affect the charter status of a chapter," he said.

University Place Manager Doug Miller said this morning that the apartment building is in discussions with Kappa Alpha’s insurance company to pay for damages.