Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Harrison Brooks The Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity House located on Mesa Vista Drive. The fraternity was among three houses suspended last week.

by Jeremy Hunt

Daily Lobo

Dean of Students Randy Boeglin didn't know fraternities could
cause so much trouble at UNM. "This is an unprecedented set of
circumstances that I've never seen in my career here," he said. "These incidents reflect negatively on the chapters. They reflect negatively for UNM." Three UNM chapters were suspended within one week: Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. They are on suspension until the University is done investigating incidents ranging from alcohol violations to rape allegations that happened in and around the houses,
he said.

Individual members were responsible for the incidents, but the University will try to determine to what extent other members were involved, Boeglin said. In response to the allegations, UNM President David Schmidly, a Sigma Nu alumnus, announced Wednesday that UNM would form a task force to "examine the culture of the Greek system." "We want to remind those organizations of their important functions in terms of community service, leadership and behavior standards," he said in a press reease. "These recent incidents have raised concern that there is an unhealthy climate in some of these organizations."

The fraternities are not allowed to function as social institutions or participate in University activities under the suspensions. However, they may still function as student housing. Kappa Sigma was suspended Tuesday because of two incidents
that occurred early that morning, Boeglin said.

The following accounts are based on police reports and statements from Lt. Pat Davis, spokesman for UNM Police. At 2 a.m., UNM Police went to the fraternity house in reference to a fight that involved death threats and a 12-guage shotgun.
Witnesses said a man left the house with the shotgun after the fight. However, he did not have it when police found him.
Two hours later, Albuquerque Police officers found a member of the fraternity intoxicated on the corner of Lomas and University boulevards. They contacted UNM Police, who filed a report with the Dean of Students Office. "The subject had a difficult time keeping balance as he attempted to put his shoes on," a police report states. "He had a hard time concentrating and was very uncooperative with APD when they tried to get his personal information."

Continued...

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