STUDENT LIFE

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

 

Dean of Students Of?ce

February 27, 2015

To: Stephanie Knight, Assistant Director, Center for Campus Involvement
From: Laura Blake Jones, Dean of Students

Cc: Susan Pile, Director of Michigan Union and Center for Campus Involvement
Issuance of Official University Decision for SOAR Complaint #15-105

Receiving the Recommendation of the Greek Activities Review Panel (GARP) from the Center for Campus
Involvement (CCI) regarding Student Organization Complaint #15405 on February 16, 2015, I write to
communicate the OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY DECISION on this matter.

Complaint #15-105 was filed against Sigma Delta Tau Sorority with the CCI under the Standards of
Conductfor Recognized Student Organizations. The Director of the Michigan Union and Center for
Campus Involvement gave the parties notice that a complaint was filed and established a reasonable
and mutually agreed upon time for a response and supporting documentation to be submitted. After
review of the file, the Director of the Michigan Union and Center for Campus Involvement determined
that a hearing conducted by GARP was the most appropriate option for resolution.

The hearing was held February 11, 2015, before a properly convened GARP Hearing Panel. The
Accountability Procedure Manual dictates that the Dean of Students has 10 days from receipt of the
Panel?s recommendation to issue the Official University Decision to the parties in writing.

Today, I write to inform you that the Official University Decision is a two-year Disciplinary Suspension
and Restricted Activities through Fall Term, 2017. We are extremely disappointed by the reprehensible
behavior that occurred, the failure of groups to come forward with information regarding the individuals
responsible for the damage, and the collective inaction of bystanders within the participating groups.
We strongly believe that individuals should accept responsibility for their actions.

Details of the Official University Decision follow in four parts:

a Statement of Authority?s Recommendation (Recommendation of the GARP Hearing Panel)
a Statement of the University Decision

.0 Statement of Sanctions

- Rationale for Changes

 

3000 Michigan Union, 530 South State Street T: 134 254?2420 F: 734 547-4133 New 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109?1308

I. Statement of Authority?s Recommendation 

(Exact wording of the findings of the GARP Hearing Panel)

?On February 6, 2015, the Center for Campus Involvement (CCI) received an of?cial complaint
?led by Madeline Walsh against the primary contact of the Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, Jessica
Klein. The complaint was ?led in response to a ski trip to Treetops in Gaylord, Michigan with
Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity over the weekend of January 16. Included in the complaint was a
description of the details of the event, including the number of attendees and the reported
damages, as well as a list of relevant media coverage of the ski trip. Damages were noted to be
estimated at $100k and included ?broken windows, thrown furniture, knocked beer cans through
the walls, broken glass in rooms, broken ceiling tiles and excessive trash.? A number of
additional details were also listed in the complaint, describing egregious public intoxication, use
of marijuana, and other public disturbances. The complaint alleged that Sigma Delta Tau was in
violation of the Standards of Conduct for Recognized Student Organizations due to the events of
the ski trip.

On February 6, 2015, CCI noti?ed Jessica Klein, the primary contact of the Sigma Delta Tau
Sorority, of the complaint that was ?led against the Sigma Delta Tau Sorority. also sent
noti?cation of an expedited timeline option for both parties at this time. On February 9, 2015,
both parties agreed to follow the expedited timeline. On February 10, 2015, Jessica Klein
submitted a response to the complaint to CCI, including Sigma Delta Tau?s plan to contest the
allegations.

On February 11, 2015, a hearing was conducted in response to the complaint. The hearing was
adjudicated by the Greek Activities Review Panel and proceeded according to the formal
resolution process in the Accountability Procedure Manual.

After deliberation, the GARP Justices have found Sigma Delta Tau to be in violation of the
Standards ofConductfor Recognized Student Organizations. According to the Standards of
Conductfor Recognized Student Organizations, Section IV.A.3, a Registered Student
Organization is reSponsible for a violation of the Standards of Conduct if a member?s actions,
which contravene the Standards of Conduct, have been explicitly or tacitly approved by the
organization. During the hearing, it was noted that Sigma Alpha Mu compiled a list of all
members from the fraternity and sorority who had paid to attend. Additionally, it was noted in
the hearing that 120-135 members of Sigma Delta Tau attended the trip. The GARP Justices ?nd
this range to constitute a signi?cant portion of Sigma Delta Tau?s 216 member roster. Given the
list of women who had paid to attend and the signi?cant portion of women in attendance, the
GARP Justices ?nd that these conditions satisfy the de?nition of a co?sponsored event. SEMP
Article states that ?Putting a chapter?s roster or signi?cant portion of it on a guest list?
constitutes co-sponsorship. The GARP Justices therefore ?nd the ski trip to have implicit
approval from Sigma Delta Tau. The Standards of'Conductfor Recognized Student
Organizations, Section IV.B addresses contradictions of the values of the University that are
subject to corrective action under the Standards of Conduct. Among the various types of action

subject to corrective measures, the GARP Justices unanimously find Sigma Delta Tau?s actions
to be in violation of the following provisions:

1.

11.

Health and Safety This provision states that RS Os must not foster, promote, or
participate in activities that unreasonably threaten the safety or Well-being of their
members, other people, or animals. During the hearing, it was noted that the
accommodations used by Sigma Alpha Mu and Sigma Delta Tau were well over capacity
and that excessive drinking took place over the course of the event. These conditions
created a dangerous environment that threatened the well-being of both members of the
organization and guests at the resort. The GARP Justices therefore find Sigma Delta Tau
in violation of the Health and Safety provision.

Violation of the Student Organization Constitution This provision states that RSOs are
bound by the constitution submitted during the recognition process. Any organization that
violates their published constitution, is in violation of these Standards of Conduct, even if
an amendment has been made and submitted, but has not yet been approved. Article 1.2
of the submitted constitution for Sigma Delta Tau states that ?It shall be the purpose of
this fraternal organization to form a close social and fraternal union of those of similar
ideals and to foster, maintain, and instill such ideals in the hearts of its members as will
result in actions worthy of the highest precepts of true womanhood, democracy, and
humanity.? The events of the ski trip, such as the excessive damages and other dangerous
behaviors, constitute a failure of the organization to uphold its given standards. The
GARP Justices maintain that this therefore violates the Violation of the Student
Organization Constitution provision.

Adherence to Law This provision states that RSOs must adhere to federal, state, and
local laws. It was noted that underage drinking and marijuana use took place over the
course of the ski trip and therefore violate the law. The GARP Justices maintain that this
therefore violates the Adherence to Law provision.

In accordance with the above ?ndings, the GARP Justices recommend the following sanctions:

1.

Sigma Delta Tau is to follow any and all recommendations from their national
organization.

a. It is important that the chapter maintains strong bonds with the national
organization and complies with all rules and recommendations set forth by the
national organization. During the hearing, it was noted that the national
organization has yet to hand down an official report to the chapter, however the
GARP Justices feel that the national organization recommendations will
complement the recommendations of the panel.

Any and all individuals are to be held accountable by the University of Michigan, the
national organization of Sigma Delta Tau, and the Michigan State Police, where
applicable.

a. This will act as a deterrent effect for any subsequent similar behavior. Individuals
must understand that their actions will carry repercussions for not just the
organization at large but for themselves as well.

3. Sigma Delta Tau is to complete three different types of educational sessions during the
Winter 2015 semester: bystander intervention, risk management and sexual misconduct
prevention.

a.

It is clear that the incidents from the ski trip resulted from lack of prOper risk
management and the failure of individuals to intervene with the dangerous
behaviors that caused the damages. It is the hope of the GARP Justices that by
having Sigma Delta Tau participate in these educational sessions its members will
be better equipped to deal with similar situations in the future and prevent
negative outcomes. We expect Sigma Delta Tau to seek out sessions facilitated by
the university. No less than 60% of the chapter must attend these sessions as well
as all attendees of the ski trip. Completion of the sessions must be confirmed by
Madeline Walsh, the President of the PanHellenic Association.

4. Sigma Delta Tau is to complete 15 hours of community service per member this
semester.

a.

The actions of the organization tarnished the Greek community as well as the
greater University community. By completing these community service
requirements, the organization will begin to mend its relationship with the
community and make it an overall better place. If Sigma Delta Tau already has
requirements for its members in this regard, this condition of 15 hours will be
concurrently satis?ed (one hour of service as per chapter requirements counts
towards one hour of the 15 required by this sanction). Community Service hours
must be confirmed by Michael Kubik, the Judicial Vice President of the
Interfraternity Council and presiding justice of the panel.

5. Sigma Delta Tau is to be placed on social probation from the notice of these resolutions
until April 21.

a.

This is to include off campus events, such as formals, as well. The GARP Justices
believe that the probationary period will allow the organization to spend time
strengthening their risk management strategies and focusing on productive
chapter involvement in the community. Philanthropy events will not be prohibited
in this probation as the panel ?nds that this would be counterproductive. The goal
of these resolutions is to not simply punish for wrongdoings, but to modify
behavior and help better the organization in the process. The organization must
complete all education requirements prior to April 21. If the requirements are not
met, social probation will last until they are completed.

6. Sigma Delta Tan is to make an apology at all four Greek council meetings by April 1.

a.

The actions of the organization affected not just the PanHellenic Association, but
the entire Greek community. The GARP Justices maintain that an apology to all
Greek councils will help mend the relationships between the organization and the
councils. This must be confirmed by Madeline Walsh.

7. Sigma Delta Tau is to ?exceed expectations? in all categories of the Achievement
Expectations for the Winter 2015 semester and at least ?meet expectations? in all
categories of the Achievement Expectations for the Fall 2015 semester.

a. The Achievement Expectations are an essential piece in quantifying the good

work that Greek organizations do. By enforcing that the organization meets
expectations in all categories the organization will concurrently help the

community, strengthen its risk management, educate its members, etc. Further,
this will help bring the organization back into good standing with the community.

8. Sigma Delta Tau is not to participate in any more off campus overnight joint
fraternity/sorority events inde?nitely.

a. The GARP Justices believe that these types of events are major risk factors and
have great potential for dangerous behavior, as demonstrated by the actions of
Sigma Delta Tau. Prohibiting these types of events will reduce these risks. This
provision does not apply to formals, but rather explicitly or implicitly co?
sponsored off campus overnight eVents.

9. Sigma Delta Tau is to complete an internal membership review by the national
organization.

a. A membership review will allow the chapter to identify individuals who are not
fit to continue membership with Sigma Delta Tau because of their lack of
adherence to the stated values and standards of the organization. It was noted in
the hearing that a membership review was to take place. Con?rmation of the
completion of this review is to be provided to Michael Kubik.

10. Sigma Delta Tau is to make an education presentation at the Fall 2015 Social Meeting of
lnterfraternity Council and PanHellenic Association Chapter Of?cers in collaboration
with Sigma Alpha Mu.

a. At the beginning of each semester, members of the IF and PanHellenic
Executive Boards host a meeting regarding social policy and risk management
within the Greek community. This meeting is mandatory for the president, risk
manager(s), and social chair(s) of every IF and PanHellenic chapter. Sigma
Alpha Mn and Sigma Delta Tau will design an educational program on risk
management Speci?c to off campus trips and bystander intervention within Greek
life. The completed program must be submitted to the Of?ce of Greek Life for
review. Through designing and presenting the educational program, the
organizations will continue to consider the damaging nature of its actions and
initiate the process of eradicating actions of similar nature from the Greek
community.?

Rationale for Sanctions Recommended by the GARP was provided by the panel as follows:

?These recommended sanctions are the product of considerable deliberation by the GARP
Justices. The GARP Justices believe these sanctions to be appropriate for the violations. We also
believe that the sanctions and resolutions are a start in mending the tarnished reputation of the
both the Michigan Greek community and the University of Michigan?s reputation as well. We
hope these incidents not only will start a conversation on risk management and alcohol
awareness, but that we will learn from these incidents and prevent them from occurring in the
future.?

(Conclusion of the exact wording of the GARP Hearing Panel)

II. Statement of University Decision

The University accepts the findings of the GARP Hearing Panel under the Standards of Conductfor
Recognized Student Organizations which determined that Sigma Delta Tau Sorority was found to be in
violation of: #1 Health and Safety; #9 - Violation of the Student Organization Constitution; and #11 -
Adherence to Law. The University finds the decision rendered by the GARP Hearing Panel to be
thoughtful, well-reasoned and consistent with well-established expectations and practices within Greek
Life at the University of Michigan that outline behavioral expectations of community members and
define cosponsored events.

Ill. Statement of Sanctions

The findings ofthe GARP Hearing Panel under the Standards of Conductfor Recognized Student
Organizations underscore the importance of individual and collective accountability for this incident.
While the sanctions GARP outlined summarized earlier in this document may have been sufficient and
appropriate in a situation where the individuals involved were taking responsibility or, where chapter
officers were providing information about individual accountability to the University, this is not true in
this instance. In addition, representatives of Sigma Delta Tau sorority have continued to attempt to
distance themselves from group accountability in this situation. This action on the part of the sorority
has served to magnify concerns about the organization.

Given the extreme nature of behaviors that occurred and failure to take group accountability in this
incident, the Official University Sanction in this matter is: a two-year Disciplinary Suspension and
Restricted Activities through Fall Term, 2017. The University also requires the current officers/other
members of the organization (as defined below) to attend meetings scheduled by the Dean of
Students with the Dean and/or Associate/Assistant Deans of their respective schools and colleges to
discuss University expectations of leadership and accountability. These educational conversations will
occur no later than April 21, 2015. Officers and other members included in these conversations are:
president, vice president, treasurer, philanthropy/service chair, risk manager, social chairs 1 and 2,
recruitment chair 1 and 2, new member educator, scholarship chair, panhel delegate and trip organizer.

As defined in the Standards of Conduct, Disciplinary Suspension involves separation of the student
organization from the University for a period of at least one semester and Restricted Activities involves
restricting the student organization?s ability to access University-controlled benefits and resources.

The University sanction of Disciplinary Suspension removes Sigma Delta Tau sorority from active
membership in the Panhellenic Association for two years and limits the group?s ability to engage in
recruitment and all social activities. During the period ofsuspension, Sigma Delta Tau?s Panhellenic
delegate must participate as a non-voting member of the Panhellenic council. Service, educational and
philanthropic activities may be approved on a case-by~case basis.

The University directs CCI to place Sigma Delta Tau sorority on Disciplinary Suspension and Restricted
Activities through Fall Term, 2017. Additionally, should Sigma Delta Tau Sorority wish to request to have

the duration of these sanctions modified or seek full reinstatement at the end of the two?year
suspension, the University expects the sorority to comply with the following conditions:

1.

IV.

To accept group accountability for behaviors that occurred at the Treetops Resort on January
16-18, 2015, primarily focused on the groups? failure to engage as active bystanders in this
incident. Sigma Delta Tau must recognize that by attending and participating in the weekend?s
events it bears responsibility for the events of the weekend, independent of the scope of
individual accountability members of the organization may, or may not, have had for the specific
damages.

Members of Sigma Delta Tau Sorority must accept and comply with the implementation of
sanctions levied upon the chapter for these behaviors by their national organization.

Full and complete restitution to Treetops Resort for damages would occur and be confirmed by
Treetops Resort.

The chapter would outline their significant and substantive progress to enact change in the
culture of their organization related to taking responsibility for collective behavior at events.
The chapter would voluntarily participate in restorative measures involving a community impact
dialogue and a significant community service project designed and implemented within the
resort area community as conceptualized by the Office of Student Conflict Resolution.

All chapter members would participate in extensive alcohol and other drug abuse prevention
education,- expanded bystander intervention training (to include learning about why bystander
intervention skills were ineffective during the referenced weekend); risk management
education; and, sexual misconduct prevention education. The content of each of these training
programs would be reviewed and approved in advance of implementation by specified campus
subject matter experts as determined by the Dean of Students.

Off-campus residential addresses of all chapter members would be supplied to the Dean of
Students and updated each semester during the period of Disciplinary Suspension to allow for
independent confirmation of any calls for service at these locations ensuring prohibited social
events, as defined by the Social Events Management Policy (SEMP) are not being sponsored by
members at alternative locations.

Regular meetings to occur between the national organization and the Dean of Students prior to
removal from Disciplinary Suspension.

All sanctions outlined by GARP in this decision letter would be implemented and those unable to
be implemented during the period of Disciplinary Suspension would be implemented following
Disciplinary Suspension during a specified probationary period.

Rationale for Changes

It has been established that members of Sigma Delta Tau sorority behaved in direct contradiction to the

expressed purpose oftheir organization, which is:

"it shall be the purpose of this fraternal organization to form a close social and fraternal union of those
of similar ideals and to foster, maintain and instill such ideals in the hearts of its members as will result in
actions worthy of the highest precepts of true womanhood, democracy and humanity.?

The failure to enact bystander intervention behaviors by members ofthe Sigma Delta Tau Sorority over
the weekend of January 16-18, 2015, at Treetops Resort was reprehensible and contributed to the
destructive behavior which caused extensive harm to the communities of Gaylord, to the University of
Michigan and to Greek Life as a whole.

This egregious behavior and failure to act are inconsistent with the University of Michigan?s standards of
conduct for student organizations and for members of the student body. Similarly, failure to
acknowledge group accountability for chapter members? collective actions when traveling and
socializing together as a group is not acceptable. We expect more of our students who have the privilege
of associating with the University of Michigan and are deeply disappointed by the failure of these
students to initially live up to our collective values and then to continue to distance themselves from
accountability for their actions.

We remain committed to using all means available to hold individuals accountable.

I would like to thank the members of the GARP panel comprised of representatives from all four Greek
Life councils, who served as the Justices in this case; and, the President of the Panhellenic Association
who served as the complainant in this matter for the unwavering leadership they have demonstrated in
responding to this unprecedented and extensive harm by members of Sigma Delta Tau Sorority in this
instance. Your collective leadership in self-governance and accountability serves as the foundation for
the future of Greek Life at the University of Michigan.

Submitted?February 27, 2015

Laura Blake Jones, 
Dean of Students