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.

Yeoman

January 28th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^

 

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

 

...I'm thinking actually having to perform the reconstruction labor themselves would be fitting. (Unfair to the hotel, though, who deserves experienced labor.)

Tearing stuff apart and paying for the damages (or, worse, having someone else pay for them in your name) doesn't quite send the same message as tearing stuff apart and having to put it back together yourself.

In reply to by PeterKlima

lilpenny1316

January 27th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^

But those involved should face some consequences, beyond organizational suspensions.  The organizations can pay for whatever damages and the kids involved can do community service.  We can't sit in glass houses and yuck it up when Sparty destroys EL and kids get kicked out of school.

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^

Seriously, what does this have to do with sports celebration riots?  Anything? Both involve property destruction?  Is that the only connection?

Even if it was related, what do you mean about glass houses?  I am not "yucking it up" when things happen elsewhere.  Plus, who wants MSU kids to get thrown out of school or do more than just pay for their damage? 

 

I guess it would be a glass house if we are here calling for jail time or extreme punishment for property destruction done by other school's students.  But, NO ONE argues that.

 

I am sorry you are embarrassed by a few drunks kids in a handful of fraternties, but get a grip.  Let's not "throw the book at them" because they embarrassed the overly sensitive Michigan faithful.

lilpenny1316

January 27th, 2015 at 10:54 AM ^

I was in school when Sparty burned up Munn in 1998 and tore up EL in 1999.  There was a lot of yucking it up and tears were not shed when kids faced expulsion.  And there are still plenty of people with popcorn in hand when Sparty wins or loses a big game.  

Also, if you think serving Community Service is throwing the book at them, then that's an indication of the societal failures unfolding before our eyes. 

Oh and I'm not embarrased by what 100+ drunk kids do.  My degree is from a school that hosted the Naked Mile, an event I embraced.

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^

You know how it works, right?  You get lots of tickets for going 5 MPH over the speed limit?  You see black men convicted of crimes they didn't commit by a jury?

Have you heard of prosecutorial discretion?

The law is not just "applied" according to books.  Also, where do the books say other kids in the frat houses should have their house suspended and public condemnation brought on their group?  This whole public outcry is not in the books.

a2_electricboogaloo

January 27th, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^

They caused $100,000+ worth of damage to someone elses property (just the Treetops and embarassed the University nationally, hell the fucking Today show covered it.  If any other club would've they would be booted off of campus right away.

gwkrlghl

January 27th, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^

Contractor costs will easily get to the $50M originally estimated and who knows how much lost revenue they'll see. I'm glad these jackasses have you to watch out for them. Apparently the bad people in this situation here are the people looking for punishment, not the morons who destroyed someone's business for the sake of having a good time

In reply to by PeterKlima

Don

January 27th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ^

Says the guy who said this about Frank Clark on November 16:

"I don't care what he did or didn't do (honestly, I don't),..."

Don

January 27th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^

So, just to recap: you say that extensive property damage doesn't matter, and physical assault on a woman doesn't matter.

You've stated elsewhere on MGoBlog that you're an attorney. Just hazarding a guess here, but are you a defense attorney? Perhaps a public defender?

PeterKlima

January 27th, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^

I am saying those don't matter to me and shouldnt matter to the board.  Those are obviously both crimes and society has a way of punishing them and it will.  (BTW - I personally consider physical assulat worse than property damage and I think the laws passed by the people agree with me on that).

I just think that, when we are talking about young college kids (and often HS kids) that we don't need the "jumping on" to publicly bash them.  What happened with that MSU recruit from Cass Tech was just SAD.  No reason to rub it in.  That kid has problems and he is going to have a tough life dealing with those mental issues.

So, these things definitely matter, but let's not hide behind computers and berate them more.

That is just my opinion.

P.S. - I am not a defense attorney. 

justingoblue

January 27th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^

What post in this thread would you consider bashing anyone? I'm sincerely confused where you're seeing this, even as a proud fraternity brother who thinks the stereotyping is mildly annoying.

FYI when a person is actually getting bashed (like your Jayru Campbell example) or isn't a Michigan related story, the comments are almost always critical and the threads almost always get pulled.

umumum

January 27th, 2015 at 4:28 PM ^

he's not a lawyer.  Not a single comment he has made demonstrates any understanding of the legal system.  Further, below he says he is a small business owner [yes, I know one could be both--but a lawyer wouldn't typically characterize himself that way]

In reply to by PeterKlima

gopoohgo

January 27th, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^

$50K of property damage is quite a serious crime.

Those responsible should be punished.  Because they committed a crime.

Since they associated with my alma mater, I truly hope they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law BECAUSE THEY BROKE THE LAW.  Also, to prevent further episodes like this in the future.

 

In reply to by PeterKlima

bronxblue

January 27th, 2015 at 1:09 PM ^

So if they were humble, poor kids you'd think the crime would be treated differently?  They caused $50k in damage to a hotel; unless they are Motley Crue and this is the 1980s that isn't a "cute" story of kids being kids.  Yes, they didn't murder 6 hookers and bury them in the Texas desert like Craig James, but it's still a crime and should be treated as such.

OccaM

January 27th, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^

How bad were the damages by PIKE/Chi Psi/Phi/DG? 

 

Edit:

Okay MLive has a better breakdown of all this... Sammy/SDT did the 50k worth of damage which is seen via pictures n shit all over the world now. 

PIKE n co did 25k worth of damage. 

So Sammy/SDT did double the amount of damage as the other 4 combined... Jesus. 

BlueFish

January 27th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^

What are the meaningful consequences of the national organization suspending the house? Obviously it doesn't mean the students can't continue living there. So they can't hold parties or official functions? I fail to grasp the ramifications of this "punishment." Someone help me?



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

OccaM

January 27th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^

Charters suspended aka they gotta do a crap ton of stuff to appease the University and Nationals. 

They will probably lose their pledges for Winter term, which does hurt the houses financially. No parties, no "gatherings" consisting of more than 25 girls etc etc... 

The sororities will probably be banned from going to any Frats anytime soon together, which really doesn't do shit b/c the girls can "individually" go. 

Frats will get hit the hardest with losing pledges, probation (SAM will probably get a up to a year's worth), community service, paying for damages, and providing a plan for reinstatement. 

Wave83

January 27th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^

They could kick them out.  SAM's chapter at Ohio State was suspended about a year ago and they were all kicked out of the house.  They had to scramble to find apartments.  I don't remember the circumstances, and their charter might have been revoked, not merely suspended (whatever that means), but it is at least possible that these jerks could lose their house.

Not sure what will happen here.

Jon06

January 27th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^

It's the national organizations covering their asses so they don't end up with any liability. Any time a chapter gets caught doing something sufficiently illegal that the national organizations have to worry about financial liability, they suspend the chapter. 

StephenRKass

January 27th, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^

Breathless? Not hardly, Spicy Wiener. Just happened to notice it in the paper, and knew it was of interest to some on the board and those who follow the University from afar. Properly noted as "OT." I will say, I was curious what would happen. And if you read the article, it sounds like UofM isn't done investigating, and there may well be more repercussions down the road.

Just curious:  are you a current student, and are you in a fraternity? It seems that some in that category want to downplay the incident. Kind of in denial. It is indeed a black eye for the university, and is just flat out wrong.

I was in a fraternity myself at UofM. There was plenty of drunkenness, drugs, and debauchery. I was involved in stupid fraternity pranks, some involving one of the suspended houses, and cattle crossing signs. Sometimes it was a wretched hive of scum and villainy. But man, we never did that kind of damage and had that kind of disrespect for a ski resort or hotel. I'm embarassed and angry.

The other thing:  with the suspension of the sororities, this tells me that they are going to come down not just on those who are actively destroying property. They're also coming after those who are complicit by their silence, i.e., simply ALLOWING destruction to happen.

Former_DC_Buck

January 27th, 2015 at 1:39 PM ^

I have trouble after losses.  You guys have definitely had a rough patch and it was especially bad because it looked like ti was fixed.  Gerd, I think, actually did skip a Michigan Monday or two so you may not have missed as many as you thought.   

It was his usual evenhandness with possibly less snark than usual.  And some chasitising OSU fans who are trying to pooh pooh the hire, though some folks in the comments don't agree with him.  Nothing new in the comments, the same stuff you hear from a lot of us.