KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 / NEWS
3A
Drumroll, please
Jessica Janasz/KANSAN
Percussion Ensemble (left to right) David Vernon, second year Masters student, Eric Sidebottom, junior, Shane Nickels, second year Masters student, and Miguel Rivera Ramierez, third year Masters give a seven minute performance at the Lied Center on Friday night. The hour long concert included other musical performances by student groups such as the Marching Jayhawks.
FIJI (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
Party Notification Form for its party. Fraternities are required to turn in a PNF for all of their functions, regardless of whether they involve alcohol. The PNF is supposed to include a guest list and account for a sober member who constantly monitors the front door as well as other security measures.
If the party involves alcohol, the fraternity is required to turn in the PNF four business days in advance. The guest list and chapter roster are due 48 hours before the event.
THE FRATERNITY REACTS
On Monday, Sept. 20, three days after Fritzie's injury, the FIJI house issued a statement.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Matthew Fritzie and his family. We are all praying for a full and speedy recovery," it said. "We are investigating the events of the evening and will take appropriate disciplinary action if any of the Fraternity's rules or policies were violated."
The international Phi Gamma Delta fraternity released a statement Sept. 25, saying it was also investigating its Kansas chapter.
"Phi Gamma Delta International Fraternity shares the University's concerns regarding the allegations of hazing that have been brought forward," the statement said. "The Fraternity has suspended the activities of the chapter pending investigation of the allegations and a decision on any disciplinary action. The Fraternity and involved Phi Gamma Delta alumni have been in regular communication with University representatives and will continue to cooperate with the University."
THE SUSPENSION
Thursday, Sept. 24, six days after the injury, the University suspended the FIJI house pending an investigation to determine whether hazing was involved.
Marlesa Roney, vice provost for Student Success, suspended the fraternity based on University code, according to a press release.
"The University absolutely will not tolerate hazing of any kind," Roney said in the release. "Such violations of human dignity are always taken seriously and confronted immediately by this University."
Officials from the Office of Student Success will conduct the investigation.
"After the accident, we were made aware of allegations of activities that could be construed
as hazing," said Jill Jess, spokeswoman for University Relations.
Jess declined to comment about how the University was tipped off to the allegations of hazing.
A student found guilty of hazing can face up to two years of suspension or at least two years of expulsion. An organization found guilty of hazing can be suspended for up to two years or face removal of organizational registration for at least two years, according to the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Other benefits that the fraternity will not have during the investigation include the ability to request funding from the student activity fee through Student Senate and the official use of University facilities, according to the University's policy on student group registration information.
Meanwhile, Jess said the suspension meant the fraternity would not be able to participate in any events such as intramurals as an organization during the investigation.
THE PRECEDENT
The last time the University suspended a fraternity was in October 2004 when it suspended Kappa Alpha Psi for almost two years after its international fraternity investigated allegations of
hazing
A University hearing panel, composed of University staff and a student, determined the fraternity had violated the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
The University allowed the fraternity to reapply for the status of a registered organization after those two years, but under several conditions.
For example, no current members of Kappa Alpha Psi at the time would be allowed to participate again in the fraternity, even as alumni.
It wasn't the most severe penalty the University could have given for Kappa Alpha Psi or for Phi Gamma Delta now — the fraternity's total expulsion from the University is also on the table.
Edited by Joel Petterson
INTERNATIONAL
Drug cartel officer caught in Mexico
MEXICO CITY — Mexican soldiers detained the Zetas drug cartel's alleged operations chief for the resort city of Cancun, the army said Sunday.
A Defense Department statement said Jose Angel Fernandez is suspected in last month's fire-bombing of a bar that killed eight people.
Fernandez, also known as "El Pelon," or "Baldy," allegedly ran an extortion ring for the Zetas and ordered the bar attacked with gasoline bombs because its owner refused to pay protection money.
The victims — six women and two men — included employees of the Castillo del Mar, which had a rough reputation and was located far from the hotel zone.
Associated Press
This fall, the Supreme Court will hear the
THE Phelps FAMILY AND FREE Speech
controversial free speech v. privacy case involving the Phelps family. Come hear experts from both sides discuss this case Audience members are welcome to participate in the Q&A session that will follow the forum.
Monday September