OT: 5 more UM fraternities & sororities suspended

Submitted by StephenRKass on

So, media outlets are reporting that in addition to Sigma Alpha Mu, the 5 additional fraternities and sororities involved in damage to ski resorts have been suspended by their National Organizations.

LINK:  http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/01/26/um-fraternities-sororities-suspended-vandalism/22377933/

Pi Kappa and Chi Psi fraternities and Sigma Delta Tau, Alpha Phi and Delata Gamma sororities were placed on suspension by their national offices over the weekend, joining Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, which was suspended last week.

The fraternities and sororities inflicted tens of thousands of dollars in damages on scores of rooms rented Jan. 16-17 at Treetops Resort in Gaylord and Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, according to UM officials.

"These incidents simply do not reflect the University of Michigan's values or its expectations," said E. Royster Harper, vice president for student life. "The behaviors are a contradiction of what it means to be in and of a community, and we do not believe that being away from campus is a license to act in destructive and irresponsible ways."

Note:  you would think that the newspaper could get the names right. Pi Kappa? Delata Gamma? It shouldn't be that hard to have an editor figure that out. FTR, the Freep got the names of the frats and sororities right, but they aren't quoted or referenced on this website.

StephenRKass

January 27th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^

The Freep actually got it right this time. In their article, it reads:

Sigma Delta Tau sorority, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Alpha Phi sorority, Chi Psi fraternity and the Delta Gamma sorority were also suspended after being accused of causing more than $50,000 in damage at the Treetops Resort and condominiums at Boyne Highlands near Harbor Springs.

Not saying the Freep is good or exonerated, just noting that they got it right.

StephenRKass

January 27th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^

Yeah, not an endorsement of the Freep. Having said that, give credit where credit is due. At least something that should be basic and assumed is done correctly. I smirk internally every time I see typos, spelling errors, etc. in MSM. We all do it, but it just is embarassing. Maybe the Freep got it right because this isn't part of their sports coverage? Who knows.

In reply to by PeterKlima

JBE

January 27th, 2015 at 10:28 AM ^

If they committed theft I'd hope they would get everyone involved in that too. You're inferring a lot from a single sentence.

And no. That's not what I meant. I have no idea if they are spoiled or rich. All I know is that they are idiots and deserve punishment.

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 10:33 AM ^

You don't think paying back the cost of the damages and (maybe) some community service (likely voluntary in light of the media) is punishment enough?

You want them to have a record and order serve jail time?

They'll pay the hotel for the damage.  It'll be fine. 

 

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 11:03 AM ^

Why is he jumping on?  I hope they get "everyone" involved in a murder case or in a big scheme to defraud the government.  But, why does a regular person hope they get everyone involved in a drunk party that damages property?  Who cares that much?  I posit it is only someone who thinks this is a serious crime.

JBE

January 27th, 2015 at 11:21 AM ^

I commented my opinion because, perhaps like some others here, I think the behavior of these students is not something that should be tolerated, and I'm glad that the university is taking action and holding them responsible. It's pretty easy to understand.

gwkrlghl

January 27th, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^

Personally I'd love to see all those clowns be kicked out of the university too. Epic levels of stupidity. Go to State if you want to burn down the building you're partying in.

And sorry your frat got suspended

umumum

January 27th, 2015 at 4:31 PM ^

you really think that a rich or spoiled kid (not saying anywhere near all of them are; but some are likely to be) will be deterred prospectively from similar bad behavior because he has to pay a proportionate share of the damage--like a grand at most.  That's about the cost of a MIP-- a badge of honor to some undergrads.  I assume you would treat street rioters the same---whether post-college-sports-win or Ferguson-like.  

Punishment has 4 purposes:  revenge (discouraged in American jurisprudence), general deterrence (stopping others from doing the same), specific deterrence (stopping the perpetrator from doing bad things) and reform (trying to make the perpetrator a better person). I don't see your proposed wrist-slap as likely to accomplish any of these goals.

There are many punishments that may fit this crime appropriately; most would likely not follow the student the rest of his or her life--a youthful record being expunged.

You certainly have the right to proffer an unpopular position.  But it should at least give you pause to be so alone on your side. 

 

 

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^

I am ashamed of people who anonymously sit in judgement of college kids on the Internet. I HATE it when football players get in legal trouble at school (Clark, Winston, Rather Hall, etc) and the fans come out and make it a sports issue and bash the kids. I think the teams and schools will take care of it. BUT, in those instances I kind of understand extreme fandom getting in the way of better judgment and there may also be a legit issue there if to certain coach is NOT holding kids accountable or playing favorites to those who make more tackles. Those potential football-related issues usually keep me from getting worked up about people harshly sitting in judgment of kids.



Here, though, there is no sports angle. None. There is also little to associate it with the university as a whole. People just want these kids to PAY and I think a lot of that has to do with hating fraternities or those with advantages in life. It is ugly jealously spurring harsh judgements of young kids who got too drunk and stupid.  They should pay, but we shouldn't be sitting here making nasty comments about it.

 

JMO.






 

gwkrlghl

January 27th, 2015 at 12:48 PM ^

and everything to do with it being a gigantic dick move. That's someone's business and their livelihood. A few people who had vacations planned probably had them cancelled because their reserved rooms were destroyed.

We all care because those guys are huge entitled assholes who apparently think they can do whatever they want.

UMdad

January 27th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^

That was a serious crime, and acting like simply paying for the damages makes everything OK is why people have that "stupid rich kid" opinion of fraternities in the first place.  If you have seen the pictures that is well beyond breaking a lampshade while having a few drinks.  It was willful and disrespectful destruction of a facility and personally I have a huge problem with college age kids being that arrogant and selfish and thinking throwing money at it is going to make it go away.  MSU expelled students after the Cedar Village destuction and I think UofM should consider that here.

 

I Like Burgers

January 27th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^

If none of the members of the frats or sororities are willing to talk or rats each other out, I'd threaten to expell or suspend all six of the groups.  When facing getting kicked out of school and ruining their future, some are bound to talk.  But if they don't and want to band together as a group, then they can do down as a group.

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 11:59 AM ^

The ceiling tile picture looks bad because of all the rumble that was created out of the cheap ceiling tile.  Otherwise, the damage looks like a crazy party.

If this were the Rolling Stones at a hotel, it would be a funny story that would epitomize rock and roll.  But its not.  These are kids, so it shouldn't be celebrated.  They should pay.

 

Whether you THINK throwing money at a problem should make it go away, it does in a lot of situations in life.  We are talking about property damage.  If some drunk husband found out his wife was cheating and busted up a hotel room, I would be fine with him paying for damage.  If some neighboor kids are playing ball too close to my house after being warned, then they should pay for the window they broke.  Is that just throwing money at the problem? Yes.  Do we need more?  I don't think so, but I also think that should be up to the parents of the kids in the fraternities and not the internet.

UMdad

January 27th, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^

Wow, what bubble do you live in?  I realize that these kids are very unlikely to have any serious criminal consequences, but you realize that their actions were criminal in nature and that they could face prosecution, right?  

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 12:24 PM ^

Of course they could face prosecution.  I just dont know if they will.

I don't know.  If my son had a wild party while I was out of town and there was substantial damage to my house, I would be mainly concerned with getting made whole.  I guess if he didn't invite them or there were other reasons or if they were unapologetic... I mean maybe I would consider reporting them to the police.  But, if it was his friends and his party, I am probably not going to report HIM and the other kids to the police just to "teach them a lesson."  I will just want the house fixed at no cost.

Now, if it was my business and not my home in which he threw the party I think I would be less likely to press charges.

 

P..S. - This is interesting.  What if you came home to find your son was buzzed and ran the car into the garage?  You would be totally pissed and punish him, etc.  But, would you call the police to "teach him a lesson"?

SCS100

January 27th, 2015 at 12:33 PM ^

Your PS line makes no sense. Of course you're not going to call the police if your kid destroyed your property. Except in this case it was someone else's property. Invalid argument.

In reply to by PeterKlima

SCS100

January 27th, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^

Because if I had a kid (and I don't), I could teach him (or her) a lesson using parenting skills that I would never dream of doing to another kid (i.e. I can't ground someone else's kid for a month, take away priveleges, etc.). 

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^

That the punishment to the other kid (criminal record, legal fees in addition to damages, nights in jail, etc.) would just be a lot more harsh than a grounding?  It seems that, if you want to teach your child a lesson, that you should impose the same penalty selected by society for the crime and not just ground him.  Where is that line?  When does your homemade punishment stop being enough?

I only ask because I think this is much tougher to answer than we want to let on....

UMdad

January 27th, 2015 at 12:40 PM ^

If I came home and YOUR drunk kid had run his car into my house I would most certainly call the cops.  You could show up with your checkbook if you like, but you, I , and your son would all be waiting for the police.

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^

Show of hands, please, how many of you would call the cops on your own kid for running into your garage? 

Right.

Now what if it was his best friend?

Still not many hands up.

How about if it was some nice kid at school from a down-trodden family?

Now, how about the spoiled, rich kid who picks on your son?

 

I mean, c'mon.  People don't report everything to the cops.  You know that.

 

In reply to by PeterKlima

Wu

January 27th, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^

I've read through all your comments and I honestly can't make heads or tails of any of the "logic" you're trying to use in your arguments or analogies.

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 12:50 PM ^

... and I expect you would.  You would love to teach other kids a lesson about the harsh realities of life and that they won't get special treatement.  But, then fail to do the same for your son and not call the cops on him when he does the same thing the next week.

 

If so, either you don't love your son enough to teach him the hard less ons in life OR you're a blatant hypocrite.

Hail-Storm

January 27th, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^

you can punish your child in ways that you cannot punish someone else's.

If this is how you lawyer, I hate to break this to you, but you aren't good, at all. You are very good at coming up with poor arguments against claims people aren't even making. I will give you that. 

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^

I will "ground" my kid the same way that you ground your kid for running into your garage.  Is that okay?  No need to call the cops.  I'll even let you come over to check to make sure I follow through.  Surely that solves this whole problem.

In reply to by PeterKlima

Hail-Storm

January 27th, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^

calling the cops is something you do when you don't have control over the matter.  If it is my own son, I have control over the matter.  If it is my nephew and I know my brother will handle it accordingly, then I have control over the matter. 

If the Frat brothers destroyed their own Frat house, then the Frat can handle things internally and can decide how to proceed and if they can trust the other members to pay. 

The resorts trusted the fraternities to not destroy their property, that trust was broken, and they properly informed the police, as any rational person would do.

I'd love to see you argue in court. "Judge, would you really call the police on your son if he set fire to your house? Then why, would you treat my client any differently then your own son? I rest my case" puts feet up on desk.

UMdad

January 27th, 2015 at 1:01 PM ^

My son running into my garage is not a crime.  Your son running into my garage is a crime.  I would not call the police for the non crime of my son damaging my garage, I would call the police for the crime of your son damaging my garage.  Also, did I miss the part of the story where one of the kids trashing the place was the son of the owner?

I Like Burgers

January 27th, 2015 at 11:42 AM ^

Here what I don't think you get: this isn't a petty crime.  Its $100k in damages plus probably 2-3x that much in lost revenue.  That's a shit ton of money, and considering it came at the peak of their season this is a huge, huge blow to those hotel's livelihood.

The fact that you can't understand that is amazing.