OT Update: Fraternity SAM suspended by UofM
Many of you have been following the story about the vandalism caused by Sigma Alpha Mu at Tree Tops Resort in Northern Michigan. The News (and Freep, for that matter) are reporting that UofM has suspended the fraternity in light of last weekend's actions.
In addition, up to five other Greek organizations at UofM may possibly also be suspended. This story has legs, and I'm sure there is more to come.
Besides Sigma Alpha Mu, UM officials said Sigma Delta Tau sorority was involved in the vandalism that occurred at Treetops Resort in Gaylord the weekend of Jan. 16-17.
That same weekend, Pi Kappa Alpha and Chi Psi fraternities along with Alpha Phi and Delta Gamma sororities were involved in reported vandalism at Boyne Highlands, 50 miles northwest in Harbor Springs, UM officials said. The damage involved 12 rooms.
UM officials want all of those groups to be suspended as well, university spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:04 AM ^
Nice - I went to an Alpha Phi formal, and we didn't trash the place. I went to a DG formal, and we didn't trash the place. I worked at Chi Omega as a bus-boy, and guess what, they didn't trash that mansion either.
So, I'm going to blame the guys on this one!
January 23rd, 2015 at 11:00 AM ^
Remembering what I saw of the Sammies when I was at Michigan, I can't say that I'm even remotely surprised by this.
January 23rd, 2015 at 11:32 AM ^
A couple of days ago and recieved tons of down votes for it at the time. I don't think anyone on the blog realized just how bad it realy was and I didn't provide all of the links and photos as I probably should have. I did receive alot of negativity at the time for starting the thread.
I was shocked at the time and disappointed that the University of Michigan students would do something so destructive and be so rude to families and guests on vacation at the resorts. Needless to say the disgust is no better today. I do feel the only option the University has is to expell the students involved. They should all face criminal charges for their actions along with retributions, fines, community service, etc. whatever is fit under the terms of the law.
I was really disappointed at the number of bloggers who at first tried to defend them and say young kids will be young kids. That was one of the biggest lines of crap I have ever heard. Now that this is in the National News a few a starting to take a little more interest and are changing their responses alot!
This is now the 3rd thread on the same issue and the I see now that the OP is not receiving the same negative responses that Idid when I first reported it. Cudos for that! Did someone wake up and say OH Damn, this is not good for the University. These students in one manner or another are representing the University of Michigan just by being students of the University, why people on this board had issues with this when it was first posted was beyond me. This is a University that my daughter plans to attend and has for a very long time. I have always taught her that her behavior everywhere and that everything she does will impact her getting into the University of Michigan. To hear and see the damage that several fraternities' have done to personal property is very disappointing. I really believe it is the students of these Fraternites that are at fault and they should all be expelled from the University of Michigan, a slap on the hand is not enough.
We have seen lessor actions done by students with the consequences of them getting expelled and I do not see how this should be any different. They broke the law, Destroyed Private Property and did not represent the fine University of Michigan, nor did they take this into consideration at the time of their actions. I read the apology letter that was given to Tree Tops Resort and I personally could have done better myself and I was not even there, just read about it.
I hope the University does what is right under the circustances and the embarracement that these students have caused and expells them all.
Let them go represent a fine community college somewhere.
January 23rd, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^
January 23rd, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^
Both of these posts (Zoltan, Sierra) are well-articulated and avoid the of the stereotyping issues that have plagued a large number of posts on this topic.
Based on both of you have daughters attending UM as freshman we have an age-gap of I'd guess at least 10 years (I'm 31). I'd be curious to hear if you guys ever noticed any destructive behavior like this (or lesser) when you were at UM?
The reason I ask is because i did notice it during my time, both inside and outside fraternities. I graduated in '05. I'm making a pretty big generalization here, but my guess is that this type of activity occurs much more now (or even did in '05) than it did when you were at UM. Of course, most of the time the scale of the destruction is much smaller.
That doesn't mean it's right (it's not), or that it shouldn't be punished (it should, though I feel expulsion is extreme), but I feel that it might be seen as more "acceptable" within younger social norms than within yours (or mine).
Maybe I'm dead wrong here and it existed for quite a while. But it might explain some of the divide in the board of those who are outraged by this and those who might say this was bad, but aren't as outraged, concerned, up in arms, etc. about this. I obviously fall into the later group.
January 23rd, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^
I personally don't recall anything of the magnitude from the University of Michigan, ever. I am not saying that it has never happened, but this has been a very bad past 12 months for the University and this in my eyes just add 1 more thing to tarnish a the fine University of Michigan.
It seems for the past year that the U of M has been in the news way to often some for on the field stuff and alot for off the field antics. The latest is the worst I personally have ever heard of from the University of Michigan Students. I don not recall a time in the history of the University where students have caused this much damage and destroyed personal property to this extreme at two seperate resorts and within weekend.
I am not saying permanant expulsion of the students, but what would you recommend? This has made the National News as I knew it would a couple of days ago when I read the articles and seen the photos, read of the rudeness to other families and guests of the resorts, it was a given that this was going to spread and very fast. If anyone can tell me of an occurance on this level from the University and the students representing the University enlighten me. I have not heard of anything on this level.
I do not necessarily blame the parents unless of course their first action is to bail them out and not allow them to suffer the consequences of their actions. I do not know what would be appropriate in reality. They were very destructive in a matter of just a couple of days and done damage I have never seen done in just a couple of days or even a few weeks. I can give you an example of good behavior: We stayed a a posh resort in the Leelanau Pennisula last summer and when we left the place so spotless the owner not only invited us back, but told us she would no longer charge the cleaning deposit because we took such good care of the place.
I know this is up to the University as to how this is handled of course, but what would you consider to be appropriate punishment for these students? A slap on the wrist, please don't do it again, oh just pay for the damages and all will be well. None of this is appropriate punishment for the destruction they done while representing the University of Michigan. Should they be expelled permanently? I don't know the answer to this. Is this the first time that they have gotten out of hand, or have they done other antics within the fraternity? These are all questions that I am sure the University is going to check into and evaluate. They should all offer their services and haul their fine butts back up north to assist in the cleanup with out just writing a check, some nice community service should be mandatory.
The lack of a poorly written apology letter left alot to be desired after reading it, as it just did not seem sincere and more like a form letter of a Fraternity who thought they were above the law. I think I could write a book on this entire subject.
January 28th, 2015 at 1:21 PM ^
It's taken me a while to follow up, so not sure this will get seen.
I'm not that familiar with the University's honor code/code of conduct, but my personal feeling is that this type of action should be responded to with community service, suspesion, probation, etc., rather than expulsion. If there are repeated incidents I don't have an issue with expulsion, but I'm not aware of any other violations that, in my opinion, would give rise to expulsion.
That doesn't mean more egregious offenses (sexual assault, for example) couldn't be responded to with expulsion. In my opinion, it isn't warranted here.
My feeling is that the damage done by this incident is not that significant to UM. Yes, maybe in the next month or so it would get brought up if I introduced myself to an alum from another university, but I feel that it got a lot of immediate attention, but will soon be forgot about.
January 23rd, 2015 at 2:39 PM ^
I still can't believe that SAMMY was dumb enough to give Treetops the real name of their organization. Idiots. Seeing the sign in the lobby that said "Welcome Michigan State Table Tennis Club" or "Welcome Western Michigan Sledding Association" was always one of the highlights of arrival. They never asked any questions. As long as the credit cards for the room deposit went through, they didn't give a shit. We never ended up with more than a $500 - $1000 damage bill. Typically for tables that couldn't quite support the weight of a dozen Sorority girls backing that ass up or the random football through a window.
January 23rd, 2015 at 4:38 PM ^
What you are saying is, "Be deceitful. Lie about who you are. Don't take responsibility."
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:44 PM ^
It's just what we did. We took responsibility for all of our incidental damages. All bills were settled before we left. The hotel/resorts still had all of our names and credit card information should they have found something after we left. The hotel just didn't know what the actual name of our group was.
The other, less deceitful option, is to book a group rate and just say you're "Dave's MLK Ski Trip" or something. Just avoid telling the hotel that you're affiliated with the University of Michigan or a fraternity, club, or group.
If these Sammy jackwagon's had just booked the block of rooms under some kid's name and left out the fact that they were a fraternity, they would have saved themselves the bad publicity. They would still be responsible for all of the damages, we may just not have heard about it.
January 23rd, 2015 at 2:46 PM ^
Yes, you are right. I am more than 31 +10 years old,lol. You ask some interesting questions. While I lived in West Quad there was the mind blowing cat frat incident:
http://www.michigandaily.com/content/you-were-here-fraternity-cook-resi…
I was also familiar with some of the secret hazing rituals which ranged from branding pledges to some just disgusting and demeaning things. Date rape drinks/ parties were not unheard of either. So I can't say my generation's behavior in the Greek system was anything to be proud of. Many frats and sorotities were to be quite blunt very discriminatory and extension a bygone country club society. I personally didn't have anything against individuals who wanted to be a part of that system, and realize that not all frats are alike, but it just wasn't something I was interested in/needed.
The athletes under Bo were probably worse back then than they are now. They ruled the campus and could pretty much get away with anything. The drinking age was also lower so alcohol was everywhere, so I can't imagine my generation didn't do more than their fair share of stupid things.
But I am going to partialy disagree with Sierra in that values, which I believe usually come from parents, have changed with regards to respect and entitlement. I believe my circle of UM friends could not even imagine doing somthing like what happened at Treetops, not because of what the University would do, but rather what our parents would do to us.
Another big difference is that it now costs $25k/yr+ to go to UM and high schoolers are so structured with sports and other time consuming activities, that less and less students are able to work to pay for their education - which I think is very wrong. Either they are saddled with stupid debt or "daddy just takes care of it". I see more and more wealthier kids going to UM, especially out of staters, and definitely more entitlement as a result - and UM becoming more like a private university.
Many of these kids parents either are too busy making a living to be involved with the day to day upbringing, and buy their kid's popularity. Money is the answer to solve problems.
I don't know if any of this applies to this frat case or not but it wouldn't shock me. I dont know all the facts so I'm not going to say whether the guilty parties should be suspended from school or not. However I'm pretty certain that those names associated with this case that are in the public domain will have a harder time getting a job.
The last part of my soapbox is that going to UM is an honor. Many of the people that we all live/work with are quick to stereotype us negatively for different reasons. It usually falls into "smartest guy in the room", "arrogant", or "entitled". I don't believe that but whenever stuff like this happens I feel very frustrated and little empathy for the guilty parties, whether they are in a frat, stars on the football team, or any other group representing the greatest public school in America.
I do agree with Sierra that the poor damage control could have swayed my opinion. The apology letter seemed boiler plate and insincere, especially since the author appears to be one of the major culprits. If one actually gave a damn they would help clean up at some point and offer more than money to make things right. Oh well, that's enough philosophy from the get off my lawn guy.
January 23rd, 2015 at 2:47 PM ^
Yes, you are right. I am more than 31 +10 years old,lol. You ask some interesting questions. While I lived in West Quad there was the mind blowing cat frat incident:
http://www.michigandaily.com/content/you-were-here-fraternity-cook-resi…
I was also familiar with some of the secret hazing rituals which ranged from branding pledges to some just disgusting and demeaning things. Date rape drinks/ parties were not unheard of either. So I can't say my generation's behavior in the Greek system was anything to be proud of. Many frats and sorotities were to be quite blunt very discriminatory and extension a bygone country club society. I personally didn't have anything against individuals who wanted to be a part of that system, and realize that not all frats are alike, but it just wasn't something I was interested in/needed.
The athletes under Bo were probably worse back then than they are now. They ruled the campus and could pretty much get away with anything. The drinking age was also lower so alcohol was everywhere, so I can't imagine my generation didn't do more than their fair share of stupid things.
But I am going to partialy disagree with Sierra in that values, which I believe usually come from parents, have changed with regards to respect and entitlement. I believe my circle of UM friends could not even imagine doing somthing like what happened at Treetops, not because of what the University would do, but rather what our parents would do to us.
Another big difference is that it now costs $25k/yr+ to go to UM and high schoolers are so structured with sports and other time consuming activities, that less and less students are able to work to pay for their education - which I think is very wrong. Either they are saddled with stupid debt or "daddy just takes care of it". I see more and more wealthier kids going to UM, especially out of staters, and definitely more entitlement as a result - and UM becoming more like a private university.
Many of these kids parents either are too busy making a living to be involved with the day to day upbringing, and buy their kid's popularity. Money is the answer to solve problems.
I don't know if any of this applies to this frat case or not but it wouldn't shock me. I dont know all the facts so I'm not going to say whether the guilty parties should be suspended from school or not. However I'm pretty certain that those names associated with this case that are in the public domain will have a harder time getting a job.
The last part of my soapbox is that going to UM is an honor. Many of the people that we all live/work with are quick to stereotype us negatively for different reasons. It usually falls into "smartest guy in the room", "arrogant", or "entitled". I don't believe that but whenever stuff like this happens I feel very frustrated and little empathy for the guilty parties, whether they are in a frat, stars on the football team, or any other group representing the greatest public school in America.
I do agree with Sierra that the poor damage control could have swayed my opinion. The apology letter seemed boiler plate and insincere, especially since the author appears to be one of the major culprits. If one actually gave a damn they would help clean up at some point and offer more than money to make things right. Oh well, that's enough philosophy from the get off my lawn guy.