The Greek Judicial Board recently punished Sigma Phi Epsilon for their actions last spring, when buckets of human waste were allegedly dumped on fraternity members. For the next semester, SigEp is on social probation, which prevents them from hosting any official social events.
While there is no official description of last spring's acts, the J-Board found them to be offensive enough to warrant a semester's worth of social events such as parties during next semester's rush. Yet, the reports from last May claim that SigEp members were in plain sight on Langdon Street, in their underpants while the aforementioned deposits were dumped on them. We find this action more offensive than something that simply warrants one semester's worth of no official events.
The fact that members were in plain sight while engaging in those activities shows a blatant disregard for human decency, and these actions tarnish the image of SigEp and the Greek system in general. For the J-Board not to recognize this shows irresponsible shortsightedness. One semester of social probation is little more than a slap on the wrist.
Members of the Greek community argue social probation is a serious punishment. Big functions of frats and sororities are to have those events,"" said Jeff Sellman, public relations officer of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, which just finished a three-year-long expulsion from campus. ""However, lots of organizations go on social probation,"" Sellman continued.
Ultimately, the actions of SigEp bear resemblance to the confirmed hazing incidents from the UW Marching Band - specifically in their disrespectful, offensive nature. Regardless of claims that SigEp did not violate J-Board hazing policies, these actions demean peers and demand greater action. If the J-Board wants to uphold the reputation of the Greek system at UW-Madison and the students that participate in it, it has to give serious punishments for serious offenses.
