THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VOL.116 ISSUE 12
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
SIGMA NU
Fraternity under investigation
The lower level of the Sigma Nu house, 1501 Sigma Nu Place, is dark last night, while lights burn upstairs. Sigma Nu is under investigation by its national chapter.
Kristin Driskell/KANSAN
National headquarters explores potential violations
BY LOUS MORA
lmora@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Representatives from the national headquarters of Sigma Nu fraternity are looking into allegations of hazing at the local chapter.
Brad Beacham, executive national director, confirmed that representatives were in Lawrence investigating the fraternity.
"We are looking into allegations with the risk management policy." Beacham said.
There was no timetable for completion of the investigation,
which is ongoing, Beacham said.
"We still have some more work. We're in the early stages," Beacham said.
When reached for questions, Jason Shaad, president of Sigma Nu, said he had no comment.
Others in the greek community see the investigation as casting a negative light on the organization.
"Even accusations such as this can really have a negative image on the greek community, which makes it all the more important to publicize our positive contributions," said Scott Shorten, president of the Interfraternity Council.
While no punishment has been issued, any incidents of hazing would be handled by the University of Kansas in addition to the national organization.
Incidents other than hazing would be dealt with by the IFC judicial board, Shorten said.
"We have full faith in the Sigma Nu national organization," he said.
This is not the first time the fraternity, established at the
University of Kansas in 1884 has been under investigation for incidents related to hazing.
In October of 2003 the fraternity was placed on probation as a result of an investigation conducted by University staff and members of IFC.
That hazing incident, which occurred Aug. 13, 2003, involved a tradition where members of the house threw a pledge into the air.
On that occasion, the pledge was thrown out a window and suffered a head injury.
GREEK LIFE
Edited by Anne Burgard
Pi Kappa Phi fears losing house to returning fraternity
BY LOUISE MORA
lmora@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Pi Kappa Phi is growing concerned about its housing as the men of Alpha Tau Omega are making a push to return to campus.
Pi Kappa Phi currently leases the house at 1537 Tennessee St. from Alpha Tau Omega, which left the University of Kansas in 2001. Now that the fraternity is making an effort to return to campus, Pi Kappa Phi could soon be looking for another place to live.
"I really don't try to think about it too much. I know it's in the back of my mind," said Zack Zimmerman, Wichita senior and president of Pi Kappa Phi.
The members of Alpha Tau Omega signed a three-year lease with two one-year renewals, allowing the men to live in the house for five years.
The lease will end in a year, and though the members of Alpha Tau Omega would like to re-establish their fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi would like to buy the house.
"We're going to try and acquire the facility," said Charlie Mitts, housing corporation president for Pi Kappa Phi. "Fraternity and sorority life buildings are hard to find in Lawrence."
Zimmerman said it would be difficult for the group that owns the house to re-establish.
"It's a tough situation," Zimmerman said. "You want to see the Greek community thriving at KU but at the same time if it could be a threat of our living conditions then I don't want to see that happen."
Despite Pi Kappa Phi's plans, Alpha Tau Omega plans on moving back in to the house.
SEE FEARS ON PAGE 4A
Aghast over prices
Kay Patterson, Johnson County Community College sophomore from Overland Park, pumps gas at the Phillips 66 on Ninth and Louisiana streets. Drivers filled up there for $2.85 a gallon yesterday. The increase in gas prices have affected many people who travel from Lawrence to Kansas City.
Iared Soares/KANSAN
HURRICANE KATRINA
Jim Hudelson/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Evacuees have filled a gym on the campus of Louisiana State University in Shreveport, La. Classes are canceled at the university indeterminately. The University of Kansas has agreed to open its doors to college students whose universities were closed because of Hurricane Katrina.
University to accept students
Late fees waived for those from campuses hit
BY FRANK TANKARD
fiankand@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITE
A week ago, Laury Pflaum was getting ready for her junior year at Tulane University. Now Pflaum, an Overland Park native, may be looking for a new school.
For students from Gulf Coast colleges that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina, that new school could be the University of Kansas.
Hurricane Katrina has shut down several colleges, including Tulane, and forced thousands of students to find new places to study.
Nearly 30 students had called the University of Kansas by 2
p. m. yesterday and asked about being admitted to the University, said Lisa Pinamonti Kress, director of admissions and scholarships.
Pflaum, who has sought shelter in Galveston, Texas, said she was waiting for Tulane to announce if and when classes would resume before deciding what she would do. She said she was originally scheduled to start classes yesterday.
Pflaum, a finance major, was worried that some of her business classes wouldn't transfer and that she wouldn't be able to make up for lost class time.
"I'm still holding out," she said. "I'm hoping the university will make the announcement soon. It'll be hard for a university to accept us because we started so late. Hopefully they'll make a decision in the next couple days."
SEE ACCEPT ON PAGE 4A
Kansans urged to stay home
Kansas Emergency Management is urging Kansans concerned about Hurricane Katrina not to head to the Gulf Coast but rather to stay home and donate to the American Red Cross and other professional aid organizations.
"We know that their hearts are in the right place, and there will probably be opportunities for people to volunteer. But right now, we need to let the professionals do their jobs, assessing the situation to see what is needed and where it is needed." Major General Tod Bunting, Kansas adjunct general and director of Kansas Emergency Management, said in a statement.
Organizations currently providing food, water, medical supplies and other neces
sites to the Gulf Coast region include the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, the National Guard, the Department of Agriculture and the American Red Cross.
The Laurence Journal World reported yesterday that four local Douglas County Red Cross volunteers were headed to the Gulf Coast this week.
Joy Moser, spokesperson for the Kansas Adjutant General's Department, warned against untrained Kansans heading south.
"We're not encouraging people to do any volunteering other than through professional organizations at this point," she said.
Frank Tankard
Jayplay
All contents, unless stated otherwise
© 2005The University Daily Kansan
Instant messages have become an integral part of college communications. Their brevity and penchant for abbreviation can cause problems, however.
The Caribbean in January
A University of Kansas professor is organizing a trip to the island of Bonaire during winter break. Students will scuba dive and earn three credits in marine biology. PAGE 1B
One in the win column
Though it wasn't always pretty, the KU soccer team got its first victory last night against Missouri State. Kansas freshman Jessica Bush collected the first goal of her collegiate career. PAGE 2A
Index
Comics. ... 6A
Classifieds. ... 9A
Crossword. ... 6A
Horoscopes. ... 6A
Opinion. ... 5A
Sports. ... 12A
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