UF Pikes suspended after party

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Not all journalists are totally objective -- and that's unfortunate. That can be particularly true in college and/or small markets.

The point, though, is that if nothing questionable happens, it won't be reported.

As I've always said, it's way to easy to blame the media and use it as an excuse.

Don't screw up and the media will ignore you.

That's why they call it news.

That's a really naive statement. I'm not even saying that from a Greek viewpoint--just as someone who's had her life turned upside down due to false accusations from a major newspaper.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

If there was nothing to report, it wouldn't be in the news at all, would it?

Not necessarily - you've been in newsrooms, you know how things can snowball, and all it takes is an overzealous reporter or editor to take a story too far, or beyond it's factual (and/or reasonable) boundaries.

We'd like to think the media always does the responsible thing, but that's just not true. Just as it's not always the media's fault when something happens, some outlets are not without imperfections and problems.

[GonzoGator]

Originally Posted by Firehouse

Is spring rush over? How did they do?

Yea it's over, since they were suspended they weren't allowed to participate in rush week.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Not necessarily - you've been in newsrooms, you know how things can snowball, and all it takes is an overzealous reporter or editor to take a story too far, or beyond it's factual (and/or reasonable) boundaries.

I've spent over thirty years in newsrooms.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

I've spent over thirty years in newsrooms.

Which is exactly what I was meant when I said "you've spent time in newsrooms." You know more than anyone on this board that the "don't screw up and the media will ignore you" doesn't always work. I saw instances of it in the few years I spent in newsrooms, and I'm sure you've many more of those situations.

I hope you didn't take that statement as a questioning of your experience, because it was clearly not meant to do that.

[DeltAlum]

Well, as I've said somewhere here (maybe many somewheres), there are some bad journalists -- just like there are some bad cops and bad ministers and bad everything else.

For the most part, though, the vast majority of the reporters, etc. I've met are committed professionals who are devoted to doing a good job.

Still, I'd repeat -- if you don't want to stay out of the media for doing bad stuff, don't do bad stuff.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by GonzoGator

Since my dad lives in Gville and he knows I had interest in pledging, he has kept up with the developments and has been in contact with some alumni and attended a meeting at the house recently. The state attorney's office dropped all charges. Apparently they don't make announcements on case developments, but will answer questions at any time. So the Pikes are working on breaking the news (expect the papers to have the story Monday or Tuesday).
From the get-go there was no evidence of sexual battery, and now the tox-screens show the girls were not drugged. Basically their fate boils down to how UF will punish a troubled house that served alcohol to minors. From what I've told they should be hearing from the University dean of students in the next couple weeks.

And the story about the dropped charges (but the possibility of some kind of action through the university) is in the Alligator at:

http://www.alligator.org/pt2/070129pike.php

[Tom Earp]

And the case goes on!

Smoke=Fire.

[GonzoGator]

Well, since it's an off campus and GPD is separate from UF, two investigations was an established fact from the get-go

[kdonline]

Just in!

Greek Judicial Board weighs Pike's fate

During a seven-hour meeting Thursday night, UF's Greek Judicial Board recommended the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity be suspended until Spring 2009.

Full story:
http://www.alligator.org/pt2/070302pike.php

[Tom Earp]

Ahem, seems like a heck of a harsh penalty.

[ufbubba]

I am one of the individual members in the case. Anybody interested in the turn out of the case, you can contact me on Facebook. My name is Sean Bohne and I would like to spread the word to other members of the Greek community. Also, I would like to state for the record that every charge made by the police, state attorney, and the University itself have been overblown and frabricated by media coverage. I honestly would not like to see other members of other social organizations face what I have faced. If you are interested, I have some words of wisdom. It's a shame what I and my chapter have faced and I would like to see the unwarrented prosecution of the Greek community to come to an end. God Bless any of you who have supported us through the investigation. Thanks, Sean.

[exlurker]

Update March 27, 2007: U. of Florida suspends Pi Kappa Alpha through spring of 2011

The university has announced the suspension of Pike "through spring of 2011," according to an article in the local paper:

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs...327013/-1/news

The campus paper has an editorial comment / opinion on the suspension:
http://www.alligator.org/pt2/070327eddy1.php

An appeal of the suspension decision is possible, and apparently likely:

http://www.alligator.org/pt2/070327pike.php

[kdonline]

And the story continues...

Pike's suspension latest chapter in a rocky history:

http://www.alligator.org/pt2/070413pike.php

[Tom Earp]

If you shouldnt then do not do it!

If you continually do expect the worst!

Drop them like a hot rock as it will do nothing but harm PKA and all GLOs!