U of Minnesota Fraternities: Sexual Assault Reports and Policy Changes

[exlurker]

Kevin,

There've been news reports concerning three alleged sexual assaults at different fraternity houses at the U of Minnesota in the last three or so weeks, prompting investigations, crackdowns on parties where alcohol's available, and so on.

A sampling of reports:

http://www.wctrib.com/event/apArticle/id/D9IL37GG1/

http://www.startribune.com/local/104...EP7vDEh7P:DiUs


http://www.mndaily.com/2010/10/04/th...-reported-frat

Excerpt from the student paper's (the Daily's) coverage – mndaily above ^:
[I]
. . . Sunday night, the University Interfraternity Council imposed a dry-house policy that will prohibit guests from consuming alcohol at all affiliated chapter houses. . . . [I]

http://wcco.com/local/university.sex...2.1944790.html

[exlurker]

The U of Minnesota IFC has reportedly suspended the Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter for 4 years; see
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2..._kappa_eps.php

DKE HQ has reportedly also suspended the chapter; see
http://www.twincities.com/ci_16253205

Edited to add update -- No Charges from allegations about one an incident at one fraternity (Chi Psi)

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1779069.shtml?cat=1

Excerpt:

No charges will be filed in the case of an alleged sexual assault at the Chi Psi Lodge fraternity at the University of Minnesota, police say.
"The facts and evidence do not warrant a criminal prosecution at this point," Sgt. Bill Palmer, a Minneapolis Police Dept. spokesman told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Wednesday afternoon.
.. . . The allegations of sexual assaults the week before at the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and one Oct. 7th or Oct. 8th at the Phi Gamma Delta house are still under investigation, Sgt. Palmer said. . . .

[exlurker]

Update: Minnesota Chi Psi Gets a “House Dad”

http://www.mndaily.com/2010/10/19/ch...e-image-issues

Excerpts from student paper's article:

Chi Psi fraternity is taking what it sees as a responsible step toward getting the house’s image back to what it should be — by getting a house dad.

The fraternity, also known as “The Lodge,” will have a live-in caretaker this week through the end of the academic school year, president Alexander Follmer said.

Jim Anberley is a 1982 graduate of the University of Minnesota and a former member of Chi Psi . . . He will be supervising and helping out with the chapter house.

“He will help us get back to where we need to be,” Follmer said.
Current members and alumni made the decision to have Anberley help make the transition with the new rules for fraternities . . . .

“We’re going back to what we used to be initially,” said Chi Psi member Garret Schultz. “We have strayed away from that the last six years.”

A female University student reported being sexually assaulted at the Chi Psi house late last month . . . . The case against Chi Psi was closed without charges.

. . . Chi Psi is on alcohol probation until March and will have to go through the Interfraternity Council to get off probation, Schultz said.

“We weren’t even aware of our turbulent past,” Schultz said. . . .

[AGDee]

"Jim Anberley is a 1982 graduate of the University of Minnesota and a former member of Chi Psi"

I hate journalists..lol. "and an alumnus of Chi Psi". Sheesh.

[33girl]

They weren't aware of their turbulent past? This is the first they've heard they're on probation? Sounds like they need a house Stephen Hawking instead.

[exlurker]

Update Oct. 26: Police Won't File Charges in Alleged Assault at Minnesota DKE

Excerpts from article (link below):

. . . Minneapolis police will not file charges in a sexual assault that occurred at Delta Kappa Epsilon on the U of M's fraternity row. It's been over a month since a 20-year-old woman was trapped in a bathroom by a man who tried to rape her. . . .

Police concluded there was "not enough information" to pursue a case against the man involved at the DKE house. Two fraternity members were robbed the same night in the house. Although the University admitted they'd had problems with DKE in the past, police said the perpetrators were not frat members.
. . .
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2...ges_file_1.php

[exlurker]

Update Nov. 18, 2010

http://www.startribune.com/local/108...PNDh_oaE3miUss

Policy changes are described in article ^; among them:

. . . Fraternities will be allowed to have beer and wine for members and at parties limited to one guest per member. All alcohol will still be banned at parties with larger guest lists. Backpacks, cinch bags and unsealed bottles -- including commercial water bottles -- will also be banned, and alcohol won't be allowed beyond common areas. . . .