Alcohol Banned at All Greek Events, Fraternity Council Elects New Leader
UC Berkeley Daily Californian
May 17, 2005
In the midst of a struggle with the university over a newly imposed alcohol moratorium at greek events, UC Berkeley’s Interfraternity Council selected its new president Monday night after its current leader resigned.
UC Berkeley administrators banned alcohol at all campus fraternity and sorority events on May 9 after two incidents in the past month brought renewed attention to the conduct of the school’s 70 fraternities and sororities.
On April 25, three members of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity were suspected of allegedly shooting a pledge more than 30 times with a BB gun in what police called a hazing incident. On May 5 police had to force a ferry to make an emergency stop in Oakland and arrested four people after a fight broke out during Kappa Alpha Psi’s ferry party.
Pi Kappa Phi’s Sam Endicott resigned from the position of interfraternity president last Thursday, citing possible punishment against his fraternity for the incident involving the BB gun.
Dean of Students Karen Kenney wrote an e-mail to the chapter presidents of each sorority and fraternity explaining the alcohol ban.
“The significant increase in the number of non-compliant greek-sponsored events as well as concern raised by a number of reported hazing incidents in chapters throughout the greek community obligate the university to take action,” Kenney said in the e-mail.
Zeta Psi’s Andy Solari, the newly elected interfraternity president, said he would work to get the alcohol moratorium repealed as soon as possible.
“It’s very important that we begin a broad coalition of greek leaders, alumni and other campus organizations who will work with the university to find a very fast resolution to the moratorium, so that we can end this by the end of the summer,” Solaris said. “It is going to be a hard transition, but I’m hoping getting a new person in there will jump-start these issues.”
Kenney said in an e-mail the university will maintain the moratorium indefinitely until the greek community makes significant progress in preventing further problems.
Laboratory Explosion Leads to Evacuation
UC Riverside Highlander
May 17, 2005
Approximately 100 people were evacuated from two buildings last Tuesday, May 10, after a small explosion occurred in the new Science Laboratories building at UC Riverside.
The fire originated in the first floor of a chemical storage area, affecting about 300 square feet. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Campus Fire Marshall Scott Corrin said he believes a laboratory bottle that exploded may have caused the fire and activated overhead sprinklers.
Two students and two staff members were decontaminated as a precaution in case of possible chemical exposure. Only two minor injuries where reported. One student received a cut to his forehead and complained of a ringing in his ears. Another student received a minor cut on his hand.
The neighboring Geology building was also evacuated when water from the Science Laboratories building’s sprinklers, which were suspected of being contaminated with chemicals, ran into the building. Classes and activities were cancelled in both structures, which were not reopened until the following day.
Corrin said the fire was not deliberate.
“We know that it was accidental and chemical in nature,” Corrin said. “The room was unoccupied at the time and we still have to interview any witnesses in the next few days.”
Jewish Co-op Vandalized, Authorities Treat as Hate Crime
UCLA Daily Bruin
May 11, 2005
Police at UCLA are investigating the vandalism of a Jewish housing co-op as a hate crime, following the discovery of a painted swastika with a slash through it on the front of the building May 10.
Molly Newborn, the house adviser for the co-op, said residents would probably try to paint over the swastika, which appeared during the Israeli Independence Week.
As of last week, no suspects had been identified.
Andy Green, president of the UCLA Jewish Student Union, said the swastika is still a symbol of hatred and intolerance in the modern world.
“UCLA is a place I feel that provides tolerance and understanding and diversity, but acts like this make me question that belief,” Green said.
Residents said they were concerned and hurt by the appearance of the symbol, and were confused as to why it had a slash painted through it in another color.
