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JAMES HOYT/KANSAN
The University and the Lawrence Police Department are currently investigating sexual assault allegations against Kappa Sigma. A statement released by the chancellor said the fraternity was placed on interim suspension.
Fraternity suspended over sexual assault allegations
AMELIA ARVESEN
@AmeliaArvesen
The University and the Lawrence Police Department are investigating sexual assault allegations reported after a Kappa Sigma fraternity party this weekend at the chapter house, 1045 Emery Rd., according to a press release from the Lawrence Police Department.
Kappa Sigma fraternity was placed on interim suspension over the allegations, according to a statement released by Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little on Wednesday morning.
"We took this action due to disturbing and serious allegations of sexual assault occurring during a party at this fraternity this past weekend," Gray-Little said in the news release. "These allegations were reported to local law enforcement and to Institutional Opportunity and Access."
Gray-Little approved the interim suspension on Tuesday evening and Kappa Sigma officially received a letter of suspension Wednesday morning, said Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, director of news and media relations. Suspension means Kappa Sigma cannot continue with fraternal activities, including chapter meetings.
"If there is a situation
"If there is a situation that occurs, we go in, we investigate and we take the necessary actions."
MITCHELL WILSON Executive director
The letter, from Tammara Durham, vice provost for student affairs, said the University became aware of allegations of sexual misconduct in the fraternity house on or about Sept.28.
"During this Interim Suspension (sic) the organization is ineligible to receive any additional services of the University or participate in any of its activities. I highly suggest that you suspend all Chapter activity. The Chapter membership in the Interfraternity Council is suspended," said the letter hand-delivered to Jack Schwartz, chapter president of Kappa Sigma fraternity.
The letter said Kappa Sigma is entitled to a hearing within five days of being placed on interim suspension and in that time "the organization will have the opportunity to demonstrate why its continued presence on campus does not constitute a danger, or threat of danger, to others."
A press release issued by the Lawrence Police Department
The University will gather facts related to allegations before the hearing, according to the letter. In the hearing, any necessary sanctions and permanent suspension will be determined.
Mitchell Wilson, executive director of Kappa Sigma Fraternity Headquarters in Charlottesville, Va., said he learned about the allegations Wednesday morning and an investigation has been launched to determine if there has been a violation of fraternity policy. He said he is unsure how much time they will need.
"If there is a situation that occurs, we go in, we investigate and we take the necessary actions," Wilson said.
at 4:35 p.m. Wednesday indicated that a student reported the sexual assault late Saturday evening. The LPD was contacted Monday morning with the allegation, including reference to sexual contact having occurred while the victim was impaired.
The release said detectives have been working to locate others who may have been at the party or have information about what occurred. No arrests have been made at this time.
Captain James Anguiano from the KU Office of Public Safety said the office does not have any involvement in the fraternity's suspension and investigation.
Sgt. Trent McKinley was not able to be reached for additional comment before this article was published.
Barcomb-Peterson said the
University is not discussing specifics of the case to maintain the integrity of the investigations. She said now is when bystander intervention becomes critical.
Anyone with information about this particular case, or any other case, should contact the Lawrence Police Department at (785) 832-7509 and the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access at (785) 864-6414.
The University remains on the list of 76 other universities under investigation for handlings of sexual assault complaints.
This story is developing. View the full letter to Kappa Sigma, the original press release and updates at Kansan. com.
Edited by Sarah Kramer
City commission lifts restrictions on food trucks
JAMES LAMB
@thejameslamb
Last week, the city commission voted unanimously to pass an amendment to the city code lifting many of the restrictions on mobile food vendors. Food trucks will to benefit from these changes that allow for longer hours, freedom to operate in more locations and the ability to gather with other food trucks in a single space.
Previously, there was a limit of three operating hours per day at any single property, a prohibition on operating out of a vacant lot, and a restriction preventing more than two food trucks from operating on the same property. Now, these can all be lifted with the submission of a site plan to the city of Lawrence that outlines the specifics of how a site with food trucks may operate.
"[The food truck growth] leads to jobs, that leads to people coming in and setting up their startup companies."
TONY KRSNICH Local developer
"Things like food trucks are interesting enough and creative enough that we're going to see a catalytic effect in the Warehouse Arts District, and that's going to spread into the city of Lawrence," said local developer Tony Krsnich. "We're talking about culinary arts, quality affordable food, and that's going to bring interest, and that's going to bring people."
The food truck industry stands to benefit greatly from the easing of restrictions, as well as the city, Krsnich said, particularly the developing Warehouse Arts District. Located between 8th and 9th streets, and Delaware and Pennsylvania streets, this area of east Lawrence is where Krsnich is already planning to open a bistro with a food truck incorporated into it for the end of the year.
"[The changes] are going to have an immediate impact on the Warehouse Arts District, but I think it's going to have an impact beyond [that]," Krsnich said. "[The food truck growth] leads to jobs, that leads to people coming in and setting up their startup companies. The research I've done shows that there's an incredible opportunity for a snowball effect."
Lawrence City Commissioner Bob Schumm said there is a concern that the easing of restrictions could, if not properly monitored, lead to a food truck
("Portland has) whole square blocks of food trucks, and I don't think that that would be in our best interests," Summm
culture in Lawrence reminiscent of that in Portland, Ore.
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A FEATURE ON
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said. "A lot of them can't move and haven't moved in years, and they're just shells stuck on vacant lots. I don't think that would be appropriate for Lawrence. I think we're a little bit classier than that kind of scene."
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The amendments require food trucks to remain in good condition and capable of movement to avoid some of the issues experienced in Portland.
"[The amendment is] so new, we've just got to work our way through it, and see how things are going to work and make adjustments as we move along so that everyone benefits from it," Schumm said.
Still, Schumm said that food trucks in Lawrence are an evolving issue.
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN
Edited by Jennifer Salva
A woman yesterday who was hit by a car at the Naismith Drive and Sunnyside Avenue intersection was taken away by paramedics.
Police Department and KU Public Safety Office were both on scene. Captain James Anguiano of the PSO said it has not yet been confirmed whether the woman is a student at the University, though he said she was wearing a backpack. He said she was walking on
WOMAN HIT BY CAR ON CAMPUS
Sunnyside at the crosswalk. She has been transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and an investigation is underway, he said.
Sgt. Trent McKinley of the LPD could not be reached for comment.
A woman was hit by a car late Wednesday afternoon at the Naismith Drive and Sunnyside Avenue intersection at 3:55 p.m. Lawrence
Lyndsey Havens
CLASSIFIEDS 4A
CROSSWORD 6A
After a long debate within Student Rights Committee, the bill to create a social equity director failed and will not go on to full Student Senate next week.
It would have created a paid position within the Student Senate executive staff for an individual who would have been the sole representative for students with social equity issues.
The bill received a 15-12 vote with no abstentions. It required a two-thirds majority to pass.
Social equity director bill fails in Student Senate
CRYPTOQUIPS 6A
OPINION 4A
This year would have been a pilot year for the position and then the executive staff would have planned to evaluate how successful the position was at the end of the year before they moved forward
Those who were hesitant about the bill were concerned with the specific roles this person would fulfill and wondered if the work would be necessary for a paid position. Lauren Arney, chair of the University Affairs Committee said although she had nothing against social equity, she pointed out that there is currently a standing committee, the Multicultural Affairs Committee, whose job is to provide representation and assist the same group of students as the social equity director would.
SPORTS 1B
SUDOKU 6A
Student Body Vice President Miranda Wagner and Chief of Staff Mitchell Cota wrote and presented the bill and both said they were disappointed with the outcome.
"I am) obviously disappointed, especially since this was something that when I was pursuing
with a more permanent role.
Don't Forget
The same bill passed unanimously in the Multicultural Affairs Committee two weeks earlier.
last year during the campaign season, we had a ton of support so it's not great that we can't deliver on this at this time but obviously we're going to find ways to make sure that we're fulfilling that promise of equity," Wagner said.
The bill previously went through the previous senate cycle and passed in Rights but due to confusion during the original vote, the Committee believed it had failed until Student Body President Morgan Said, Wagner and Cota went back later that night to recount the votes. Last week, instead of presenting the bill to full senate, Said asked for the bill to be sent back to Rights Committee for transparency.
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2014 The University Daily Kansan
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Miranda Davis
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