(Updated on Oct. 3, 2012 at 11 a.m.)
Despite the fact that some fraternities have recently rejoined Homecoming activities, UTM’s IFC still prohibits fraternities to participate in Homecoming events unless recent cases of vandalism and theft of property at some of the fraternities’ houses are resolved.
However, because the university has cleared all organizations, some fraternities are taking the risk with IFC and still participating in Homecoming events.
Any fraternity that violates the Interfraternity Council, or IFC, policy that caused the suspension could face consequences, such as going before the IFC Judiciary Board. Despite the policy, many fraternities chose to participate in Homecoming activities earlier this week, such as Homecoming and Lip Sync.
According to a phone interview with the Office of Alumni Relations on Friday, Sept. 28, all of the fraternities are currently suspended by IFC from Homecoming activities because of Greek Life and IFC policies regarding altercations. According to the IFC bylaws, an altercation is defined as any physical harm done to a member of the other fraternity or destruction of property.
Since the suspension was not lifted by Monday, Oct. 1, the beginning of Homecoming week, students, faculty, and alumni members did not see fraternities pull rope on the scheduled start date. By Tuesday afternoon, UTM decided to allow the fraternities to participate in Homecoming activities if they chose to.
“The university has cleared every organization to pull as scheduled,” Charley Deal, Vice Chancellor of Alumni Relations, said Tuesday afternoon when asked about the university’s decision.
According to Deal, that clearance includes all Homecoming events. Not all of the fraternities chose to participate though. Alpha Tau Omega and Sigma Chi forfeited in rope pull, so Alpha Gamma Rho pulled against Pi Kappa Alpha on Tuesday.
Kappa Alpha Order and Sigma Alpha Epsilon are scheduled to pull rope at 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday. AGR would pull against the winner in the championship match at 4:40 p.m. on Friday, and Pike would pull against the loser for third place at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
UTM administrators are still working to find the individual or individuals responsible for the four instances.
“SAC and Alumni Relations are feeling the brunt of this if the fraternities can’t participate,” Deal said. “For the benefit of the alumni, I hope this situation is resolved before homecoming so everyone can enjoy a week of welcoming the alumni back. We don’t want the alumni to be punished because some knuckleheads don’t know how to behave.”
For updates regarding the fraternities’ suspension and Homecoming events, follow The Pacer on Facebook and on Twitter @ThePacer.
Since Sept. 21, the Martin Police Department has responded to incidents at four fraternity houses.
610 Lee St.
According to a police report, on Sept. 22 at about 11:28 a.m., the Martin Police Department responded to a theft that had taken place at 610 Lee St., which is the Sigma Phi Epsilon house. A 52-inch JVC TV, valued around $300, was stolen from the house sometime between 10:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 8 a.m. Sept. 22.
UTM officers later recovered the TV outside Trinity Presbyterian Church on Hannings Lane on Sept. 23.
528 Lee St.
According to a police report, on Sept. 22 at about 12:42 p.m., a Martin police officer was dispatched to 528 Lee St., which is the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house, in reference to theft of property. The SAE president told the officer that composites, trophies, plaques and a soundboard were stolen from the house sometime Saturday morning after 2 a.m.
The total value of the stolen items was around $9,470. The following items were reported as stolen: a soundboard valued at $400, 15 composites valued at $500 each, 19 plaques valued at $30 each and 20 trophies valued at $50 each.
A few days later, a Martin police officer found some of the items while on patrol. 10 trophies, 15 plaques and eight composites were still missing as of 11 a.m. Sept. 26. The total value of the missing items is $4,950.
522 Lee St.
According to a police report, a Martin police officer was dispatched on Sept. 23 at about 12:43 p.m. to 522 Lee St., which is the Kappa Alpha Order house, in reference to a vandalism and theft. Apparently, three trophies valued around $600 were destroyed. Two trophies valued at $200, a 7-foot statue of a knight valued at $300, and two award plaques valued at $200 were stolen from the property. The total value of the missing items is $700.
All of the items were originally located in the meeting area of the house. The incident occurred sometime after 1:30 a.m. Sept. 22.
Another officer observed the damaged trophies at 11:40 a.m. on Sept. 22 and spoke to a member of the fraternity, who said that he was waiting for someone to return to make a report.
220 Hannings Lane
According to a police report, a Martin police officer was dispatched on Sept. 25 at about 5:13 p.m. to 220 Hannings Lane, which is the Pi Kappa Alpha house, in reference to vandalism.
The complainant reported that sometime between Sept. 21 and the complaint, his red Chevrolet Camaro had been keyed. According to the report, the damage to the car on the passenger rear and front side was consistent with being keyed.
