Comment on this story on one of our Facebook pages:
http://www.facebook.com/daytondailynews
OXFORD — Miami University’s president has pledged a review of policies and punishments for campus fraternities and sororities after a second sorority was linked to destructive behavior at its spring formal, including vomiting and smoking inside a museum.
The second incident involving the school to become public this week was at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Alpha Xi Delta is facing a two-year suspension following a March 26 spring formal at the downtown Cincinnati museum.
A letter sent from the Freedom Center to Miami officials describes excessive drinking, smoking, vomiting, urinating all over the restrooms and destruction to the dance floor.
“The day after the so-called ‘formal,’ Freedom Center staff was still finding hidden bottles of alcohol and new places where students had vomited from having too much to drink,” wrote Rhonda Miller, private events coordinator.
Miller said she caught one male apparently planning to urinate on an early 19th century slave pen exhibit.
Miami University President David Hodge announced Wednesday, May 12, that Alpha Xi Delta will be suspended from campus for two years. The sorority is appealing the ruling.
Hodge said he has apologized to Freedom Center officials and that Miami will thoroughly review of policies and standards “with the intent to significantly update requirements for Greek events and disciplinary procedures for the Greek community.”
That could include increasing sanctions, said university spokeswoman Claire Wagner.
Earlier this week, Miami announced a one-year suspension for Pi Beta Phi sorority after similar complaints of damage and misconduct during its April 9 spring formal at Lake Lyndsay Lodge in St. Clair Twp. The sorority did not appeal the decision.
“These recent incidents of negative behavior are deeply troubling and embarrassing,” Hodge said. “Working together with the Greek governing councils, chapter advisers, chapter membership and the national organizations, we are determined to live up to our values.”
During Alpha Xi Delta’s event at the Freedom Center, it was clear that many students were intoxicated when they arrived and were bringing alcohol into the event, which is not allowed, said spokesman Paul Bernish. “What was particularly upsetting was the abject and profound disrespect for the museum.
“The DJ quit early, saying they hadn’t ever seen such horrible behavior,” Bernish said. “There wasn’t much damage, but lots of cleaning up that took the whole night since we were open the next day.”
Banned from holding future events at the facility, Alpha Xi Delta wrote a letter of apology.