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THE\Where You Read It First TUFTS Tuesday, September 7,1999DAILY Volume XXXIX, Number 2 AEPi suspended on hazing allegations DU on probation until October investigation, the Alpha Epsilon by JEREMY WANGIVERSON Pi fraternity has found that the Daily Editorial Board hazing allegations raised against Fraternity activity at AEPi has us by an anonymous caller have been halted forthe Fall ’99 semes- been grossly exaggerated. None- ter after a woman who claimed to be the mother of a student pledg- theless, we do see how one of our pledge activities could be seen as ing at that fraternity recounted two incidents ofhazing to the Dean a form ofhazing,” the group said in of Students’ Oftice. Though the a statement to Reitman. ‘Tm not going to say nothing fraternity called the allegations happened,” AEPi President Matt “grossly exaggerated,” they ad- mitted to one count of hazing, Behrens said. “But this isn’t an accurate account.” subsequently forestalling a Uni- They denied, however, that they versity investigation. A suspension of recognition coerced their pledges to engage in binge drinking. usually entails loss of housing “While we believe that not only privileges, as well. Due to the un- precedented demand for on-cam- were our pledges never asked to do anything against their will, nor pus housing, however, the house will still be available to sophomore put in situations that could be harmful to their health, we do not fraternity members and four jun- feel it to be in our best interests for iors for this semester. They are Coleman named new director prohibited from organizing any the school to conduct an investi- gation,” AEPi’s statement con- large-scale social events and all cluded. brothers ofthe chapter, excepting Behrens said the brothers have of African American Center those from the most recent pledge discussed the incident and ex- class, must perform 75 hours of by JEREMY WANG-IVERSON “I would liketo implement programsthatbenefitthe plained the current dynamic in the community service. The fraternity Daily Editorial Board entire Tufts population as opposed to just the black wake of the suspension. chose this program over another When Todd McFadden suddenly resigned as student population,’’ Coleman said, “to try to create a “Most kids tell their parents holistic educational environment rather than a myo- option, which did not include com- director ofthe African American Center last Decem- about pledging - I certainly did - nic ” munity service but mandated a ber, the members ofthe Pan-African Alliance marched and one kid obviously misread his on Ballou Hall to demand that the administration take year-long suspension. Sopho- mores, the most recent pledge parents. We’re not going to ques- the concerns of African-American students more tion allthemembersoftheclass, it class, were allowed to stay in the seriously. doesn’t help us any,” Behrens house, as they are not considered Now, as the African American Center begins its said. accountable. In order for fourjun- 30” anniversary year, a new director is taking over, Behrens did feel, however, the possibly heralding a new era in University race iors to also live there, however, all 25 upperclassmen brothers had to ruling was a little unfair, “I think relations. the punishment was a little bit Acting Dean of Students Bruce Reitman announced perform the community service. In her first-semestercall to Dean harsh, but I’m not going to com- at last Wednesday’s faculty meeting that Lisa Coleman plain.” of Students Bruce Reitman, the will serveasthecenter’snewdirectorfortheupcoming see that during a tran- ‘‘I think the situation was dealt unnamed woman alleged the year. Coleman was an assistant professor of English as sition period,” with very well and things were pledges were confined for a week- City University ofNew Yorkwhere shespecialized in Nelson-James said. resolvedvery well between frater- end to the fraternity’s blacked-out teaching writing, African American Literature, “I’m looking forward nity leadership and the Dean’s basement, the floor covered with Cabibbean Women’s Literature, and American Litera- to the year. There’s office,” Inter-GreekCouncil (IGC) flour and maple syrup. There was ture. In addition to these endeavours, she has lectured potential for great President and AEPi brother Steve Photo by Jeremy Wang-lvenon no bathroom facility except for a atNew YorkUniversity, whereshe iscurrentlypursu- changeand [Coleman] Levine said. “It’s pretty decent largecommunal pot. Thecalleralso a ing her Ph.D. seems open to new EsaC~lm~an compromise.” IGC Vice-president said that the pledges were forced Coleman has been on campus over the past few ideas.” Jessica Branco said the IGC has weeks, organizing seminars forthe incoming freshmen The Pan African-Alliance’s prominence in recent toplay adrinkinggame.The frater- nity submitted a statement to not yet reached a conclusion as to and peer leaders on academic life, genderdifferences, campus politics culminated in theirrole in organizing WhetherLevinewillremain aspresi- and student organizations. Reitman said she hopes to last December’smarchon Ballou Hall. Themarch was Reitman’s office indicating that while the first incident did occur, dent. organize more programm ing about academic resources an immediate response to the sudden resignation of Hazing is defined by the and cultural programming, such as holdingcommemo- then-director McFadden. Over200 students marched the caller’s report regarding the incident was notentirely accurate. Reitman’s office as physical and rationsofBlack History Month and the African Ameri- psychological shock, forced drink- see COLEMAN, page 15 “After conducting an internal can Center’s anniversary. ing, and engaging in public stunts and buffoonery. A more complete definition can be found on Welcome back BBQ for seniors tonight Reitman’s web page: http:// ase. tu fts.edu/deanstu/pachyJ At least 500 members of the Class of 2000 expected to attend hnction pachypol/legalpol.htmI#hazing Reitman emphasized that he by BENJAMIN GEDAN 900 students and a worthwhile tion,” he continued. social arena. It isprimarilytofacili- was not going to punish the frater- Daily Editorial Board activity for any member of the Senior Lauren Pinkus studied tate social interaction among se- nity on basis of the call, but an Each Fall flocks of newly re- class. in New Zealand during the fall niors that Nicolaou conceived the investigation would have ensued turned world travelers, some wea- “The main purpose is to get term ofthe 1998-99academicyear. idea and was able to garner the if not for the admission of guilt. ried, others exhilarated by the ex- everyone in the senior class in one For many students the transition financial support of the Senior The caller told Reitman she had perience, reconvene on the Tufts place, to put the senior class to- backtocollegelife isdifficultbut Class Council and the Office of been in touch with Scott Cohon, a campus to complete their under- gether forthe firsttime,”Nicolaou those who choose to leave durl Student Activities, as well as lo- representative from the AEPi na- graduate education. Last year, said. ing the first semester face an even gistical aid from countless Tufts tional chapter. Cohon spoke to nearly one-third ofthejunior class With the help of $10,000, the tougher challenge. Upon her re- students. Reitman and said that representa- spent at least a semester studying bulkofwhich was provided by the turn to Tufts, Pinkus at first found Nicolaou said he expects up tives will visitthe campus this fall abroad. This evening, at least 500 TCU Senate, final preparations for life on campus unfamiliar. A hand- to 80 percent of the senior class and conduct an investigation and returning seniorswill meettoshare the barbecue were completed over ful of her close friends were to attend, including those that training activities. their wide array of experiences, the summer. Also, duringthe sum- abroad and one-fourth of the didn’t travel last year. He said “These fraternity activities will update their on-campus info, and mer months, seniors were mailed school was comprised of new that it is difficult for anyone re- be the only ones allowed in the fall dine on oversized hamburgers and an invitation to the event, and freshman faces. turning to find time to meet their -theuniversity will provide space other barbecue delicacies as they over 500 have already pledged to Fortunately for Pinkus, things classmates and also organize for any meetings that the national re-acclimate themselves to life in attend. In recent days, interest rapidly improved and before long their lives, so the barbecue will (fraternity) wishes to conduct,” Medford and Somerville. around campus has begun to grow. her lost sense of normalcy re- afford students a valuable op- Reitman wrote in his letter to the The senior class ‘welcome “Far more than the 520 who turned. portunity for storytelling and fraternity. back’ barbecue is set to begin at RSVPed have approached me “After about two to three weeks reuniting. AEPi is notthe only member of five p.m. on the Hillside lawn. Se- around campus and expressed in- it was like I never left,” Pinkus Home cooking will be prepared the Greek community facingdisci- niorTufb Community Union (TCU) terest,” Nicolaou said. “NO one reminisced. “Youget back into the and served by student volunteers. plinary action. The Delta Upsilon Senator CostaNicolaou promises else seems to care that [seniors] routine,” she explained. The array of meat and vegetarian fraternity is currently on proba- free food for 700 people, compli- go away and come back and then For others, the change poses dishes are to be served rain or mentary senior class T-shirts for don’t see each other until gradua- more difficulties, especially in the shine. see AEPI, page 15 2 THETUFTS DAILY September 7,1999 The Daily Weather Forecast Today Tonight Tomorrow NFL team kicks off a PAC Today: Mostly cloudy with Patchy fog, scattered showers Wednesday: Partly sunny, The Indianapolis Colts may not be a football powerhouse thii showers likely, 78 and t-storms, 67 scattered showers, 78 season, but the franchise is leading the league in one respect: Thc team has become the first in the NFL to start its own political actior committee.

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