For the second time in the past month, Mississippi State University police and school officials are investigating fraternity members for possible violations of university policy, though details of the alleged incident are few and far between.
The Dean of Students” office and MSU police are interviewing individuals to gather information and statements about a Sept. 19 incident involving the Kappa Sigma fraternity, according to a MSU press release.
“We are not prepared to release details about the incident until we confirm all the facts,” Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois said.
If found in violation, the men”s social organization could face sanctions that include both suspension of chapter activities and individual disciplinary actions, Bourgeois added.
“We take the university”s code of conduct very seriously, as we do the safety and security of our students,” Bourgeois said.
The Sept. 19 incident comes in the wake of a party the weekend of Aug. 30 at the Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity house, which resulted in allegations of a sexual assault and underage drinking.
Nearly a dozen students were issued citations, and the Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity was placed on probation until next year for the Aug. 30 incident, university officials said earlier this month.
The Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity was placed on probation through May 15, 2010. The university”s Epsilon-Chi Zeta chapter also faces sanctions from the fraternity”s national office, according to a MSU press release.
“The chapter has admitted its responsibility for violating Mississippi State University”s Code of Student Conduct, and it will face the penalties,” Vice President for Student Affairs Bill Kibler said of the Aug. 30 incident. “We consider the penalties appropriate to the seriousness of the actions.”
The fraternity admitted to charges that included holding an unauthorized party and violation of university alcohol policies.
Terms of the probation include:
- Organizational activities limited to internal business meetings and member recruitment through Dec. 31, 2009.
- From Jan. 1-May 15, 2010, activities limited to “alcohol-free” events, all of which must be approved by appropriate university authorities.
- Completion by all members of an alcohol education class through the dean of students” office.
- Sponsorship of an educational speaker for all MSU Greek organizations on a topic that benefits the needs of the community.
- Progress reports submitted to the university every three months.
“Failure to comply with any of these terms, as well as substantial terms from the national fraternity, can result in additional sanctions,” Kibler said.
Additionally, individual students are facing legal repercussions.
“We had nine students who were issued minor and possession citations; several others were referred to the Dean of Students” office,” MSU Police Department Chief Georgia Lindley said.
The university did not identify the students who were issued citations.
Attempts to reach Lindley for additional details of the Sept. 19 incident were unsuccessful.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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