University announces Greek ski weekend sanctions

Feb. 27, 2015

Today’s actions stem from the university’s processes for student groups. The university remains committed to using all means available to hold individuals accountable for the vandalism and related behavior under University policies that apply to individuals. There also is an ongoing investigation by Michigan State Police.

Statement from U-M President Mark Schlissel:

I want to reiterate how profoundly disappointed I am in the action of these students.

I also want to express my deep appreciation for the Greek Life student leaders who initiated the judicial process and for the university’s Student Life team for addressing these situations firmly and fairly through our established process.

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.

University statement:

We are very disappointed in the actions of some our students during the weekend of Jan. 16-18 at two northern Michigan ski resorts.

The disrespect some students have shown toward these vital northern Michigan communities does not reflect the “leaders and best” that we expect of Michigan students.

The Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, which has taken responsibility for the vandalism at Treetops Resort, will no longer be recognized as a student organization on our campus. That period of separation is specified as four years.

This is the most severe sanction the university can levy on a Greek organization or any student organization on our campus. This means they cannot participate in any Greek Life activities and cannot recruit new members during the period of separation.

The university has asked the national office of the fraternity to revoke the charter of the U-M chapter and placed additional sanctions on the fraternity.

Those sanctions include: Taking full responsibility for sanctions outlined by the fraternity’s national office and the Greek Activities Review Panel process; paying full restitution to Treetops; participating in restorative measures in the Gaylord community; implementation of extensive alcohol and drug abuse, bystander intervention, sexual misconduct and risk management education programs approved by the university; regular supervision and contact with the Dean of Students Office throughout the period of separation.

This letter outlines all Sigma Alpha Mu sanctions.

Members of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority stood by at Treetops Resort and allowed others to vandalize the facility. This lack of action is unacceptable.

The Sigma Delta Tau sorority has been placed on disciplinary suspension for two years.

Disciplinary suspension involves separation of the student organization from the university. During the period of suspension the Panhellenic Association delegate from the sorority will participate as a non-voting member of the Panhellenic council.  Service, educational and philanthropic activities may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

The university also placed additional sanctions on the sorority. These sanctions include: Taking full responsibility for sanctions outlined by the sorority’s national office and the GARP process; paying full restitution to Treetops; participating in restorative measures in the Gaylord community; implementation of extensive alcohol and drug abuse, bystander intervention, sexual misconduct and risk management education programs approved by the university; regular supervision and contact with the Dean of Students Office throughout the period of separation.

This letter outlines all Sigma Delta Tau sanctions.

The severity of these sanctions sends a clear message that this type of student behavior will not be tolerated at the University of Michigan.

Being away from campus is not a license to act irresponsibly.

The actions of these students do not reflect the values of the University of Michigan or the values held by members of our Greek Life community or the majority of our students.

The university has specified a range of conditions that also would need to be met before recognition could be considered after the period of separation.

The two fraternities and two sororities responsible for damages at Boyne Highlands have been issued a written reprimand and some activities are being restricted. These groups did not engage in malicious destruction of property and have taken full responsibility for their actions.

Letter regarding Alpha Phi

Letter regarding Chi Psi

Letter regarding Delta Gamma

Letter regarding Pi Kappa Alpha

University Recod: University issues sanctions in ski weekend incidents

Sigma Alpha Mu announces closure of U-M chapter

University responds to ski weekend vandalism

Jan. 22, 2015

Statement by E. Royster Harper, vice president for student life

“These incidents simply do not reflect the University of Michigan’s values or its expectations. 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.

“The university is investigating this fully and those responsible will be held accountable. It is especially disappointing since this behavior does not reflect the broad majority of U-M students who participate in Greek Life and compromises the many valuable contributions these student organizations provide.”

Additional details

The national office of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity has ordered the U-M chapter to suspend all activities for an indefinite period.

This suspension includes meetings, chapter events, philanthropy, recruitment, candidate education, social activities and other Greek life activities on the Ann Arbor campus.

The university’s Office of Greek Life is asking the national offices of the other five Greek organizations involved to take similar action.

Update: As of Jan. 24 the other five Greek organizations had been placed on suspension by their national offices. The specific meaning of that action varies among the Greek organizations.

This gives the university time to sort out additional details that are necessary before placing additional sanctions on the organizations or individuals involved.

The executive boards of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association on the Ann Arbor campus have initiated their own reviews of this situation that could lead to sanctions against the fraternity and sorority chapters. Those student leaders have issued an open letter of apology for the incidents.

There also is a pending Michigan State Police investigation that could lead to criminal charges.

Greek organizations involved:

Treetops: Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity; Sigma Delta Tau sorority.

Boyne Highlands: Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity; Alpha Phi sorority.

Boyne Highlands: Chi Psi fraternity; Delta Gamma sorority.


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