Investigation into Hazing at Texas SAE

[jon1856]

From another local media source:
The 13 page agreement:
http://www.kvue.com/downloads/2743_SAE_agreement.pdf

[srmom]

Wow, at first when I read the article in the statesman, I thought it wasn't that big of a deal. But, in reading the 13 page agreement, there are some really hefty rules and regulations, and the penalties for breaking them are severe.

IMO, It almost seems as if they are being set up for a fall - Unscheduled visits by the APD, TABC, or DOS - police state with no privacy protection. All the restrictions on rushing, pledge period, parties, etc. with no wiggle room seems like a recipe for failure. Also, there is the repeated stipulation that SAE and its members, by agreeing to the terms of the agreement, waive all rights to appeal any decision by the DOS (excluding disciplinary action by the president). So, any violation of any of the rules and they, as a group or individually, are dumped with no recourse.

Maybe this is the type of document that pushed KA away from the IFC table, where they said to he** with you, we're going out on our own.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by srmom

Wow, at first when I read the article in the statesman, I thought it wasn't that big of a deal. But, in reading the 13 page agreement, there are some really hefty rules and regulations, and the penalties for breaking them are severe.

IMO, It almost seems as if they are being set up for a fall - Unscheduled visits by the APD, TABC, or DOS - police state with no privacy protection. All the restrictions on rushing, pledge period, parties, etc. with no wiggle room seems like a recipe for failure. Also, there is the repeated stipulation that SAE and its members, by agreeing to the terms of the agreement, waive all rights to appeal any decision by the DOS (excluding disciplinary action by the president). So, any violation of any of the rules and they, as a group or individually, are dumped with no recourse.

Maybe this is the type of document that pushed KA away from the IFC table, where they said to he** with you, we're going out on our own.

srmom; I have read the agreement three times already, and I still am getting my mind around it.
And I have to wonder if this is going to be extended, in one form or another to the rest of the GLO's on campus?

[macallan25]

It will most certainly be very interesting to see what happens.

I'm not going to really comment on it. For one, I'm about to graduate and my involvement with the chapter outside of paying dues and attending a few of our big events a year and game day tailgates over the past couple is pretty small. Two, this is an internet forum and I just don't really think details of something like this need to be discussed.

I think the agreement is pretty fair....although something that will most certainly test the RESPONSIBILITY of our chapter over the next five years. For all of the allegations, penalties, etc. that SAE here has endured over the past few years......I think the stipulations outlined are pretty fair. Although it will be far more structured......the house can still rush, can still treat pledges somewhat like pledges, and can still have social events.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by macallan25

It will most certainly be very interesting to see what happens.

I'm not going to really comment on it. For one, I'm about to graduate and my involvement with the chapter outside of paying dues and attending a few of our big events a year and game day tailgates over the past couple is pretty small. Two, this is an internet forum and I just don't really think details of something like this need to be discussed.

I think the agreement is pretty fair....although something that will most certainly test the RESPONSIBILITY of our chapter over the next five years. For all of the allegations, penalties, etc. that SAE here has endured over the past few years......I think the stipulations outlined are pretty fair. Although it will be far more structured......the house can still rush, can still treat pledges somewhat like pledges, and can still have social events.

Thank you Brother for your insight into this matter.
The very best to you and the Chapter.

[jon1856]

And more follow-up from local news paper-which IMVHO is a bit slanted:
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
UT, frat reach agreement after hazing death

Settlement comes in response to hazing incident in fall 2006.

A year and a half after an 18-year-old University of Texas fraternity pledge fell to his death from a fifth-floor balcony, the university and the local chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon announced Tuesday that they've reached an agreement that will allow the fraternity to keep operating if it changes its pledging process and social activities.
But the parents of Tyler Cross say they are disappointed by the agreement. Cross was a freshman from Marietta, Ga., when he died. He had followed in his older brother's footsteps in attending UT and pledging Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
"We are definitely surprised by this agreement and disappointed that we were not contacted or consulted regarding this agreement by either the university or the SAE fraternity advisors and alumni given that our precious son, Tyler, was the victim of the hazing incident that prompted this action," Debbie and Don Cross said in a written statement Tuesday.
http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...416hazing.html

From the Daily Texan The Campus Paper:

Fraternity agrees to prohibit hazing, underage drinking
http://media.www.dailytexanonline.co...-3327933.shtml

Viewpoint: All eyes on SAE
http://media.www.dailytexanonline.co...-3327886.shtml

[exlurker]

Update April 25, 2008: Four Charged

Hazing-related charges have been brought by Travis County (TX). A Houston newspaper has an Associated Press article on the charges and some of the alleged actions. Other news sources in Texas have somewhat similar stories:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5731349.html

Edited to add: The Austin paper appears to have more details on the alleged actions:

http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...0426cross.html

A reminder, please: people charged are presumed innocent.

[jon1856]

Brother Mac;
Best wishes to you and the rest of the Brothers during this time.
You are all in my thoughts.

[nittanyalum]

Holy crap! Cattle prods? Jesus, come on, guys.

[exlurker]

Update April 28, 2007

The pleas and sentences, as reported by the Austin newspaper:

http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...429hazing.html

[CasperDU173]

How does this chapter still have its charter? Schools and headquarters need to take a tougher stance on behavior and actions like these. I don't care who the alumni are or what connections they have these actions are disgusting and give all greeks a bad name.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by CasperDU173

How does this chapter still have its charter? Schools and headquarters need to take a tougher stance on behavior and actions like these. I don't care who the alumni are or what connections they have these actions are disgusting and give all greeks a bad name.

We have an outstanding chapter, recognized as such both locally and nationally. Fortunately the actions of a few didn't affect the whole worse than they already have. I think the actions taken were fair and balanced.

[Elephant Walk]

Uhm...I believe I saw y'all got in trouble again.

edit: nevermind...the president, vice-prez, and pledge trainer were convicted of hazing...probably already mentioned though.

How does this chapter still have its charter? Schools and headquarters need to take a tougher stance on behavior and actions like these. I don't care who the alumni are or what connections they have these actions are disgusting and give all greeks a bad name.

...so says the Delta Upsilon from Ohio.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Uhm...I believe I saw y'all got in trouble again.

edit: nevermind...the president, vice-prez, and pledge trainer were convicted of hazing...probably already mentioned though.

None of them are down here anymore either. Graduated, grad school, etc. Two had to come in from New York for the proceedings.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by macallan25

None of them are down here anymore either. Graduated, grad school, etc. Two had to come in from New York for the proceedings.

That sucks.

Not even involved with the chapter on a daily basis level anymore

Hazing laws are suppose to get rid of hazing but...I mean, they aren't going to haze anymore cuz they're long graduated. They should of just charged them with battery or something like that.