by John Ball
ON FEB. 27, U-M Dean of Students, Dr. Laura Blake Jones, released a 10-page decision in response to a Feb. 6 complaint against Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity for its members’ alleged participation in an alcohol and drug-fueled rampage at a northern Michigan ski resort. The original complaint, filed by Alex Krupiak, LSA junior and president of the University’s Interfraternity Council, has resulted in a four-year “de-recognition” of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity on campus. However, Dean Jones’s letter also states that Sigma Alpha Mu may re-apply for recognition sooner than four years if certain conditions are met, including “full and complete restitution to the Treetops Resort for damages,” and “community impact dialogue and a significant community service project designed and implemented within the resort area community as conceptualized by the Office of Student Conflict Resolution.”
“Complaint #15-100 was filed against Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity with CCI under the Standards of Conduct for Recognized Student Organizations,” reads Dean Jones’s letter.
Dean Jones goes on to write, “Damages were noted to be estimated at $100,000 and included “broken windows, thrown furniture, knocked beer cans through the walls, broken glass in rooms, broken ceiling tiles and excessive trash. A number of additional details were also listed in the complaint, describing egregious public intoxication, use of marijuana, and other public disturbances. The complaint alleged that Sigma Alpha Mu was in violation of the Standards of Conduct for Recognized Student Organizations due to the events of the ski trip.”
One day after Dean Jones issued her decision, the Detroit Free Press published a piece in which Treetops resort general manager Barry Owens alleged: “the price tag for the destruction is about $430,000, four times the original estimate.”
Owens went on to say in an email statement: “If you just look at our out-of-pocket expenses, things we’ve paid to contractors, third parties, it’s around $230,000. It doesn’t take into consideration management time or damage to the resort’s reputation. Our accountants and attorneys are saying that this could be up to an additional $200,000.”
Treetops spokeswoman Susan Wilcox Olson told the Free Press that “Sigma Alpha Mu has paid $25,000 toward restitution,” but also said a representative has told Treetops that the fraternity is “unwilling to accept liability and pay restitution.”
Dean Jones noted as much in her decision: “While thesanctions Greek Activities Review Panel (GARP) outlined may have been sufficient and appropriate in a situation where the individuals involved were taking responsibility or, where chapter officers were providing information about individual accountability to the University, this is not true in this instance.”
Dean Jones also imposed mandatory “lectures” to be attended by the fraternity’s leadership. The “educational conversations” will be led by “the Dean of Students with the Dean and/or Associate/Assistant Deans of their respective schools and colleges to discuss University expectations of leadership and accountability.” The “educational conversations” are scheduled to take place before Apr. 21, 2014.
Upon conclusion of the Greek Activities Review Panel’s judiciary process, that body initially recommended the University suspend SAM from IFC for one year.
For sorority Sigma Delta Tau, University officials issued a two-year disciplinary suspension, citing the same explanation for the expanded sanctions against SAM.
The suspension limits the SDT’s recruitment and social activities and removes the chapter from active membership in the Panhellenic Association for two years.
Debbie Snyder, executive director of Sigma Delta Tau’s national headquarters, said she did not believe the punishment for the SDT members was just.
“While the Sigma Delta Tau National Organization supports the majority of GARP’s recommendations, we strongly believe that the university’s additional sanctions are unreasonable due to the lack of specific evidence linking our chapter members to the allegations,” Snyder said in a statement. “It is Sigma Delta Tau’s opinion that our women did not play a part in the destruction and vandalism on site.”
Central Student Government president Bobby Dishell said he was disappointed in the actions of some members in the fraternity, but the sanctions could help the Greek community move forward.
“It is very shameful the option that these individuals have brought not only to our campus but to our community, but it’s good that this self governance is there to hold them accountable and I think it’s a testament to Greek Life the fact that we have such great self governance in that system,” Dishell said. “I look forward to seeing the community move forward.”
U-M President Dr. Marl Schlissel released a statement on Feb. 27 in which Dr. Schlissel expressed appreciation for the Greek life and Student Life leaders who initiated the complaint and addressed the alleged criminal behavior.
“I want to reiterate how profoundly disappointed I am in the action of these students,” Schlissel wrote. “I hope the broader Greek community can learn from this experience so they can continue to participate in the many positive aspects of Greek Life while avoiding extreme, risky and inappropriate behaviors. It’s important that we allow this process to move forward.”