McKenna Ross Managing editor mross@statenews.com
investigates sexual misconduct we take less of those types of cases than we do the other.” In the case of a male accused of assaulting another male at Sigma Phi Epsilon in January 2013, the victim alleged he was roofied and unconscious during the rape, police reports said. The victim was examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner, who found “tears and abrasions” in his rectum, reports said. The case was closed because the victim stopped cooperating with the police and it was never referred to the prosecutor’s office. Investigation and prosecution Seventeen cases had investigations stall because the victims did not want to pursue an investigation. “Obviously, we certainly have cases where the victim does not want to pursue an investigation or even if an investigation is done, they don’t want to pursue prosecution,” Gonzalez said. “The reasons behind that are numerous and they’re very individualistic between cases. Regardless, when we have a sexual assault case we will work all of the leads, if you will, that we can, even if the victim does not want to follow through or is uncooperative with our investigators. That’s simply so that we can do our due diligence and take a look into the case and see if there’s anything FACT: there that the police need to Out of the act on or need to refer for 19 cases prosecution.” reported at When a victim is uncoopfrat houses, 16 erative, it limits the leads victims were investigators can follow up confirmed on, which in turn means it to have consumed usually isn’t possible for the alcohol. case to be referred to prosecutors, Gonzalez said. The remaining two cases were referred to a prosecutor’s office, but both cases were denied warrants due to lack of evidence. One of those cases was reported to happen at Pi Kappa Alpha in March 2012. 5
The victim said she was drunk and said no to penetrative sex, but the suspect allegedly did not listen to her. The suspect said there was no penetration and the victim never said no. The case was referred to the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office, but a warrant for the suspect was denied because the burden of proof was not met. Follow-up Once a report is made to ELPD, officers first gather basic information where they determine if the alleged assault occurred in East Lansing or on campus, Gonzalez said. If either the victim or the suspect are affiliated with MSU, the police alert the university of the alleged assault, Gonzalez said. “What we also do, though, is if the East Lansing Police Department has jurisdiction over the case and we’re going to investigate it, refer it for prosecution, if the victim or the suspect are related to the university we are required to report that to the university,” Gonzalez said. “Even though we may have legal jurisdiction over the case, the university has mechanisms and resources in place that they can refer to the victim for follow-up care, if you will. We notify the university of the incident so that they can on their end, provide some resources and care to the victim as well.” MSU has a sexual assault program which “responds to those impacted by sexual violence and works to create a community free of violence and oppression,” according to its website. Responses The State News reached out to national headquarters, MSU chapters and university Greek Life officials for comment on the alleged sexual assaults. Representatives said fraternities have specific measures to prevent misconduct. “We work substantially to try to educate our community to prevent this from happening,” Assistant Director of Greek Life Linda Alex-
ander said. “We also have a good relationship with our Title IX coordinator Jessica Norris. We meet with her regularly. It is a huge commitment that our campus is working towards, to educate, IFC fraternities specifically.” Greek Life is also partnered with MSU’s Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Program, Alexander said. “All the IFC presidents will be required to go to a training specific for presidents, as well as our risks managers,” Alexander said. “So both of those specific student leaders will have their own specialized training that they go through in the spring. Along with, the rest of their membership will have to attend a sexual assault and violence prevention workshop in the spring semester.” One alleged assault was reported at Phi Gamma Delta, or Fiji, on Jan. 24, 2012. Because the incident happened in 2012, current Phi Gamma Delta President Jack Rose was still in high school, he said. “I can tell you that currently we participate in ‘Greeks take the lead’ and a sexual assault awareness speaker comes to our specific chapter to speak about sexual assault,” Rose said in an email. “We also have not had any incidents since that time or since I have been president.” MSU’s chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon has four alleged assaults reported since September 2015. The chapter gave a statement promising to hold people accountable. “We are alarmed to learn of past allegations of sexual harassment against unnamed members of our chapter,” the emailed statement said. “We have never been informed of these allegations or related investigation, charges or adjudication concerning chapter members. DKE will not stand for sexual misconduct in our organization and pledges its full cooperation with MSU and law enforcement. If any members are found responsible for sexual misconduct, DKE will immediately use its judicial process to hold members accountable for their actions. “ Sigma Phi Epsilon’s chapter at MSU was
Sexual Assaults Reported Since Jan. 1 2012
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Delta Chi
Delta Kappa Epsilon
Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji)
Phi Kappa Psi
Pi Kappa Alpa (Pike)
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suspended Aug. 15, so the local chapter could not comment. There are two alleged assaults at the house, on Jan. 1, 2013 and Oct. 2, 2016. “We believe that being able to provide a safe and healthy experience for our members is a prerequisite in our mission to being a valued partner in higher education,” the national fraternity said in a statement. “Sigma Phi Epsilon provides training opportunities each year to our members on consent and healthy relationships, and our Live Your Oath campaign teaches brothers how they can help end sexual assault on our campuses.” The MSU chapter of Zeta Beta Tau had one case reported on Oct. 8, 2015. “It is unfortunate that situations like these occur in Greek Life, and it is unacceptable for an instance of sexual assault to occur in my chapter,” President Evan Woodford said. “That being said, the Beta Epsilon chapter like all other chapters of Zeta Beta Tau, have a zero tolerance policy towards sexual assault/sexual harassment being committed by brothers of the fraternity. Needless to say, the individual involved in such an incident on October 8, 2015, is no longer associated with our organization. “The Beta Epsilon chapter prides itself in being a positive impact on Greek Life, MSU, the city of East Lansing, and having the utmost respect for all individuals is our top priority. We have multiple members of the fraternity who are members of the Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Program (SARV) at Michigan State, and they strive to make MSU and Greek Life a safer place.” The national headquarters of Zeta Beta Tau declined to comment on the specific case, but did explain the steps it is taking to educate its members. “We have a few different programs that we do with members of our fraternity and then we also do them in partnership with other organizations,” Assistant Director of Wellness and Harm Prevention Nancy Schwartz said. “The hope is that out of our 90 chapters, 30 a year are getting some sort of educational program.” Those programs include an alcohol management program, Green Light Go and Safe, Smart Dating, Schwartz said. “Our brothers accept the responsibility to participate in society as active and safe citizens, and having that social responsibility in the integrity,” Schwartz said. “That personal integrity, I think, is critical to who we believe that we are as an organization. I think especially more than ever it’s really important.” The MSU chapter of Phi Kappa Psi declined to comment, deferring to IFC. The MSU chapter of Delta Chi declined to comment. The MSU chapter of Theta Chi declined to comment because it was not charted during the alleged incidents. Instead, a fraternity known as Beta Zeta resided in the same house. However, there is no national headquarters for Beta Zeta, meaning no one is able to comment. The MSU chapters of Alpha Gamma Rho, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Triangle didn’t respond to request for comment. Sigma Phi Epsilon isn’t an active chapter on campus. The national headquarters of Alpha Gamma Rho, Delta Chi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Theta Chi and Triangle did not respond to request for comment. AT STATENEWS.COM: HOW OTHER BIG TEN SCHOOLS ARE HANDLING FRATERNITY DISCIPLINE
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