THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 15,2005
VOL.116 ISSUE 62
Kappa Sigma fraternity is currently under investigation for allegations of underage drinking, inappropriate behavior, and possible hazing violations. Kappa Sigma is the second fraternity to be investigated this semester.
GREEK LIFE
Under investigation Kappa Sigma hit with accusations
BY LOUIS MORA
lmora@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
For the second time this semester a University of Kansas fraternity is under investigation.
Mitchell Wilson, Kappa Sigma executive director, said the fraternity was currently under investigation and the men would appear in front of the national organization on Jan. 21, when they would discuss the situation.
Wilson said the organization had ceased all social function until its January hearing. He said the chapter would have the ability to make its case.
Nicholas Lombardi, president of Kappa Sigma, said he had no comment.
Marlesa Roney, vice provost for Student Success, said she was contacted about the situation by the national headquarters' preliminary reports yesterday. She said the headquarters had found little evidence regarding hazing but did find problems with underage drinking and inappropriate behavior.
Roney said the University had zero tolerance for hazing and would not tolerate the problem, but said it would withhold judgement concerning the fraternity
until the national organization completed its investigation and hearing.
"We are concerned by the national Kappa Sigma organization's preliminary report to us today." Roney said.
She said the report of underage drinking was a concern because of the University's commitment to keeping students safe. She said the University had programs to educate students about the problems of underage drinking.
Roney said her office would continue to monitor the situation and would take action when action was warranted.
Scott Shorten, Interfraternity Council president, said he didn't want to jump to conclusions by calling the situation a problem, because the investigation was still ongoing. He said at this point the organization could be looking to see if the house's operations were properly followed.
"The investigation on its own does not necessarily mean a lot since the accusations are so unclear at this point," he said. "When we learn more about the situation we will be able to better determine the next course of action."
Kappa Sigma is the second
fraternity to be involved in an investigation this semester at the University and the third in less than a year. In September the national organization of Sigma Nu pulled the fraternity's charter after an investigation found the men in violation of hazing policies.
In April, Phi Kappa Theta fraternity had its charter revoked after hosting an unregistered party. The Interfraternity Council Board later expelled the chapter from campus.
— Edited by Erick R. Schmidt
Fast-a-Thon under way
RELIGION
BY ALY BARLAND
abarland@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Some members of Ali Malik's Math 104 class will not be eating, drinking or using profanity today.
The Ramadan Fast-a-Thon is a nationwide effort by the association to let people know about hunger problems and homelessness in the United States, said Wael Aloumi, chairman of the event. Participants must not eat, drink or use profanity during the day.
Malik, a graduate teaching assistant, has asked his class to participate in the Ramadan Fast-a-Thon today sponsored by the Muslim Student Association. As an incentive he is offering 10 extra credit points to each participant.
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting during the daylight hours. This year Ramadan began Oct. 5 and ended Nov. 5; because of planning issues, the Fast-a-Thon was delayed.
Kelsey McMahon, Chicago freshman and one of Malik's students, said she was participating for a number of reasons.
Malik said all but one or two students in his class were going to participate.
"It itse pretty important to him." McMahon said.
She also said she had never fasted and wanted to see what it
RAMADAN DINNER
What: Fast-a-Thon Dinner
When: 4:30 p.m. today
Why: Dining area on third floor of the Kansas Union
Sponsored by the Muslim Student Association
felt like.
The association set up a table last week on Wescoe Beach to hand out information and gather students' pledges to participate.
Bazigha Tusail, chairwoman of the Fast-a-Thon, said the goal of Ramadan was for participants to get a sense of how the homeless and hungry feel.
The Muslim Student Association collects donations from local businesses either in lump sum or on a per-student basis for the Fast-a-Thon.
The donations it gathers will be given to the Lawrence Community Shelter and to victims of southeast Asia earthquake.
For all participants, dinner will be provided at 4:30 p.m. today in the dining area on the third floor of the Kansas Union.
This is the second year the University has participated in the Ramadan Fast-a-Thon.
Edited by Theresa Montaño
Kansas 73 - Pitt State 47
Justin O'Neal/KANSAN
Freshman forward Micah Downs lays a shot up against Pittsburg State forward Edward Morris at Allen Fieldhouse Monday night. Kansas was led by sophomore forward C. Giles, who scored 24 points. PAGE 10A
GREEK LIFE
Homeless event to raise awareness
Fraternity's project needs a place to stay
BY LOUIS MORA
lmora@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
RAISING HOMELESS AWARENESS
Project Homeless Alpha
The men of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity want to raise awareness about the issues concerning the homeless through a prolonged camp out on Wescoe Beach, but a University rule has left the project, well, homeless.
In Project Homeless Alpha, fraternity members will call Wescoe Beach home beginning today to collect donations from those who would
Students can bring canned goods, clothing or charitable donations to Wescoe Beach from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Wednesday.
- Donated goods will go to Jubilee Cafe, Salvation Army, Goodwill and Lawrence food pantries.
like to bring goods to help the homeless.
They will stay from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but they aren't allowed to camp all night.
"It's disappointing, more so because people don't really take us seriously," said Will Clayton, Kansas City, Mo., senior and president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Rueben Perez, assistant
dean of students and director of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, said the no camping policy, which was passed in 1988, prohibits the men to stay overnight.
He said any request to stay overnight would have to be approved by the provost.
"It goes back to a safety factor," Perez said. "We've always got to be aware of that."
He said they would like to partner with other greek organizations that have houses so the project participants could camp outside a house.
Jeff Dugas, Chicago senior and project participant, said the group aimed to stay outside when it conduct the project next year.
SPEAKER
To maintain the feel that the men are homeless, they will use cardboard for shelter and will not change their clothes or shower during the two-day period, Dugas said.
"Staying overnight adds another level of seriousness to the program," he said. "It shows we are not just out there just playing around, we are serious about it."
Attorney general Kline to visit campus
SEE HOMELESS ON PAGE 4A
BY ALY BARLAND
abarland@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Students will have an opportunity to speak with a controversial figure in state government tonight.
Karen Bentley, chairwoman of the KU College Republicans, said she wanted students to attend the lecture regardless of their political beliefs.
The University of Kansas College Republicans will host Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline tonight in the Kansas Union.
"I would encourage anybody to come out and hear him speak
because regardless of whether or not you agree with him, he's a very eloquent speaker and is well-informed on the issues that are prevalent in Kansas politics," Bentley said.
Kline
The attorney general has been active during his term. He attempted to keep certain CDs out of public libraries because of their content and was involved in the dispute over school funding that required a special session of the legislature during the summer.
Kline is also well-known for his anti-abortion stance and recently filed a lawsuit against state-financed abortions paid for by Medicaid.
Bentley said she was not sure what Kline would focus on in his speech.
"He'll probably talk in some fashion about abortion," Bentley said.
Before his lecture Kine will be attending the first meeting of the Security and Firm Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force, at 5:30 in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union.
IF YOU GO
IF YOU GO
What: Phill Kline lecture
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Kansas Room of the Kansas Union
The task force was created to enforce sex offender registration and discuss sentencing options. There will be another meeting held in Wichita later this year.
"The plan is to get testimony at this meeting," said Jan Lunsford, public information officer for the attorney general.
SEE KLINE ON PAGE 4A
Jayhawks heading to National Championships For the first time in 11 years, the men's cross country team received a bid to the NCAA National Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. PAGE 10A
TV programmer lives life behind the scenes In this week's On the Boulevard, Kansan staff writer FrankTankard examines the life of KUJH-TV program director and KU student Scott Winer. Viewers don't see Winer, but his work is always obvious. PAGE 2A
Lake adapts with time
Lake adapts with time The role of Potter Lake has changed over the years, from a source of fire protection to serving as a pool for goal posts. Since 1911, the lake has witnessed numerous events in the history of the University. PAGE 2A
4
Index
Comics... 6A
Classifieds... 7A
Crossword... 8A
Horoscopes... 6A
Opinion... 5A
Sports... 10A
All contents, unless stated otherwise,
© 2005 The University Dialy Kansan
1