Lawsuit Alleges Hazing -- U Nebraska-Lincoln Sigma Chi

[exlurker]

An ABC affiliate's site reports on hazing allegations and a lawsuit:

http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story....&nav=menu605_2

Excerpts from the Associated Press article on station's site:


. . . lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court names the local Sigma Chi chapter, the nine members and the national organization. The lawsuit accuses them of acts "so outrageous as to exceed the standards of human decency."

The university suspended the fraternity last month after some members were cited for hazing, procuring alcohol for a minor or both . . . .

Court documents say pledges were verbally assaulted and forced to drink alcoholic concoctions until they vomited, among other incidents The lawsuit involved 1 of the pledges who said he was sexually assaulted. . . .

[exlurker]

Update May 16 '09: Not Guilty Pleas

Eight members of Sigma Chi have entered not guilty pleas. according to a station in the region:

http://www.ketv.com/news/19476553/detail.html

[exlurker]

Update June 24, 2009: Two Plead No Contest

Excerpt from brief news report:

Two of the eight Sigma Chi fraternity members ticketed in connection with alleged hazing incidents at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln pled no contest this morning to a misdemeanor charge of procuring alcohol for a minor.

The article is from the Omaha paper's site:

http://www.omaha.com/article/2009062...2/-1/FRONTPAGE

[exlurker]

Update June 27 '09: U of Nebraska Being Sued

The U of Nebraska is being sued in connection with the alleged incidents. The suit reportedly claims that the U was negligent in supervising the chapter, and in failing to enforce anti-hazing rules.
See:

http://journalstar.com/articles/2009...7642241956.txt

[exlurker]

Update

From a station's site:

http://www.kcautv.com/Global/story.a...62835&nav=1kgl

Excerpts:

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A University of Nebraska-Lincoln fraternity member has pleaded no contest to charges of hazing and procuring alcohol for a minor.

Twenty-year-old James Glover of Bellevue entered his pleas Thursday, after previously pleading not guilty to the charges that stemmed from a UNL police investigation of Sigma Chi fraternity . . . .

. . . Judge Gale Pokorny found Glover guilty and set his sentencing for Sept. 25.

He faces up to a year and a half in jail and $2,000 in fines for the misdemeanor charges.

Three other members of the fraternity have been found guilty of procuring alcohol for a minor. They await sentencing.

. . .

Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, http://www.journalstar.com

[Football Fan]

States appear to be willing to give heavy sentences to Greek members who break the law regarding alcohol and hazing convictions.

The State of California now considers conviction of hazing a felony.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Football Fan

States appear to be willing to give heavy sentences to Greek members who break the law regarding alcohol and hazing convictions.

The State of California now considers conviction of hazing a felony.

I'm sorry, but why is this in this thread?? The story concerns an incident in Nebraska.

[exlurker]

Update: "No Contest" Plea

Station KTIV's site has a short Associated Press report

http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11007746
Excerpt:

. . . A Lancaster County Court judge found 21-year-old Jonathan Knudsen of Grand Island guilty on Thursday after Knudsen pleaded no contest to the charge.

His sentencing has been set for Oct. 30.

The charge stemmed from a UNL police investigation of Sigma Chi fraternity, leading to charges against eight fraternity members. . . .

[exlurker]

Update Sept. 11 '09: Another "no contest" plea

http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=11116037

Excerpt:

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A former University of Nebraska-Lincoln student has been found guilty in a fraternity hazing case, becoming the fifth person convicted in the case.

Michael Classen of Omaha pleaded no contest in Lancaster County Court on Friday to a count of hazing and another of procuring alcohol for a minor. He is set to be sentenced on Nov. 20. . . .

[exlurker]

Update: 4-Year Suspension (Sigma Chi, U of Nebraska - Lincoln)

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/59345817.html

Excerpt from story posted on web site of station WOWT, an NBC affiliate:

The Sigma Chi fraternity is now on a four-year suspension, effective May 1, 2009 and ending May 1, 2013. During the suspension, no one will be able to live in the fraternity house and no formal activities can be held there.

Officials say the last two years of the suspension will be held in abeyance, but only if the Alumni Board has a plan in place that includes regular house inspections. Recruitment of new freshman members would then be allowed in 2011.

EDITED TO ADD November 14 '09 Update:

Another member has been sentenced; a short article describes the plea bargain and agreed-upon penalties:
http://www.columbustelegram.com/arti...ity_hazing.txt