YOUTUBE CELEBRITY SOFTBALL FIVE-LOSS STREAK, 12 »©¥©:- I j FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013 Valparaiso University's Student Newspaper 2007-2011 Indiana www.valpotorch.com College Weekly of the Year FRATERNITY LOSES CHARTER In a letter received on March Sigma Tau Gamma 19 via email by Adam Farhan, se­ nior and president of Sigma Tau to cease all activity Gamma, he was informed "of the immediate suspension of the ac­ due to allegations tivities of the Beta Lambda chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity at of hazing, drug use Valparaiso University. This action is being taken based on information David Purvis-Fenker regarding allegations of hazing in Torch Staff Writer the new member program and al­ leged illegal drug use in the Sigma On Wednesday, April 3, 2013, Tau Gamma chapter facility." The all members of Valparaiso Univer­ terms of the suspension are that sity's Greek community received an "All activities that involve using the email from Carolyn Whittier, assis­ name of Sigma Tau Gamma are to tant dean of students for Greek Life, cease," "All new member activities leadership and volunteer programs, are to cease and no contact is to be stating that the charter of the Beta made with any man identified as a Lambda chapter of the Sigma Tau new member of Sigma Tau Gamma Gamma fraternity had been revoked Fraternity," and "The chapter facility Photo Provided by the Sigma Tau Gamma Board of at 801 Union Street is to be closed to In response to their charter being revoked, Sigma Tau Gamma reacted by displaying this sign in front of their fraternity Directors. anyone who is not an initiated mem­ house at 801 Union Street. According to this email, "Sigma ber or alumni of the fraternity. No Tau Gamma will no longer be a girlfriends/partners, friends, team­ recognized fraternity at the Univer­ mates or others should be allowed in Life, in all fraternities and sororities. email, Farhan said, "We admitted to Farhan also said that, while the sity for a period of no less than five the facility until further notice." Appendix I: Drug Use Policies states what we do on our bid night and a national Sigma Tau Gamma Board years. After this period, the national Valparaiso University prohibits that "it is the policy of Valparaiso couple of our rituals. And that's the of Directors sent an investigator to fraternity of Sigma Tau Gamma hazing, defined as "any action taken University that the unlawful pos­ 100 percent truth. Those included interview members, they never re­ will be able to submit a proposal for or situation created, intentionally, session, use or distribution of illicit two scavenger hunts (which is ap­ ceived word of the findings until re-colonization as outlined in the whether on or off fraternity prem­ drugs and/or drug paraphernalia is parently unbelievable hazing as Car­ they got the email stating that their Fraternity and Sorority Expansion ises, to produce mental or physical prohibited." rie says), running (which in Sigma charter had been revoked. Guidelines." The email goes on to discomfort, embarrassment, harass­ Farhan said that during the in­ Tau Gamma's Path of Principles it "I don't really know what hap­ praise VU's Greek community and ment, or ridicule" in Appendix J: vestigation, members of Sigma Tau states brothers and associate mem­ pened. That's what I'm really angry reaffirm the university's commit­ Fraternity Risk Management Policy Gamma admitted to hazing during bers should keep in shape), and do­ ment to Greek Life. of the Student Guide to University rituals, but that it "was minor." In an ing push-ups with your big brother." See Sigma Tau, page 3 Alliance events highlight LGBTQ issues tion on the part of the audience. on April 19, but LAMBDA will be 'GAYpril'gatherings "You are who you say you are," celebrating with silence on April Harvie said. "It's not up for public 17. On this day, those who wish include comedian, discussion." to take a vow of silence may wear "There were a lot of students a red ribbon to honor their com­ speakers, discussions there who were non-Alliance mitment and show their support. members, which is good in itself. Those who wish to show respect Kimberly Peterson They went there to discuss and to the day while keeping their Torch Staff Writer learn, not just for Core credit," right to talk may wear a black rib­ Borchert said. bon. While many may see April as Senior Lindsey Abshire, the "Last year, I remember we all just an ordinary Spring month, treasurer of Alliance shared her got together to break the silence. many college campuses are cele­ concern prior to the events. We were outside in the yard by brating GAYpril, a month dedicat­ "Honestly, I was worried about the Chapel, I think, and we all just ed to celebrating the Lesbian Gay how he would be received, but sort of shouted. It was nice to let Bisexual Transgender Queer (LG­ there was a lot of positive feed­ out all of our frustration from the BTQ) community. GAYpril events back," Abshire said. silence of the day together," Ab­ are celebrated on campuses such The third event held by Al­ shire said. as Harvard, Carnegie Mellon and liance to celebrate GAYpril was The last two events that Alli­ Cornell. On the Valparaiso Uni­ entitled "LGBTQ Issues 101." Dur­ ance is hosting for GAYpril are versity campus, sidewalks, walls ing this event, students met in discussions led by David Weiss. and doors are decorated with fli­ the Hearth to discuss important David Weiss is currently on a mis­ ers representing Alliance's events LGBT issues that affect people sion trip in Uganda, which he will for GAYpril. both on campus and in the coun­ discuss during his two talks. The "We're always trying to advo­ try today. first is on April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in cate for the LGBT community. Another important part of the Christopher Center Commu­ A lot of the time, our events just GAYpril is the Day of Silence, nity Room, and it is entitled "Pay­ skim the surface. This year, our Fares Alshanmary / The Torch which is celebrated nationally. Ac­ ing it Forward: My Journey as an events turned into more than in­ Speakers held a discussion entitled 'LGBTQ Issues 101' Tuesday in the Hearth of cording to dayofsilence.org, "The Ally into the Welcoming Story of troductory level conversation," the Harre Union as a part of Alliance's GAYpril series of events. Day of Silence is a day of action in Scripture." The second is on April said Alliance's senior president which students across the coun­ 19 at 11 a.m. in the Christopher Michael Borchert. try vow to take a form of silence Center Board of Directors Room, The first two events were cen­ discussed being a transgender in lot about the transgender commu­ to call attention to the silencing and it is entitled "Christian and tered around the transgendered the Campus Cafe. nity. I'd never met someone who effect of anti-LGBT bullying and Queer - Identities Made for Each part of the LGBT community. "I think it's great that the LGBT was transgender before, so it was harassment in schools." While the Other: Reflections on the power Alliance hosted a showing of a group on campus is making an ef­ a really great learning experience. Day of Silence is an individual of claiming them both." All of documentary that centered on a fort to really educate the students Plus he was hilarious," said fresh­ event, LAMBDA (the Law Schools the previous and future GAYpril family's experiences with a trans­ of Valparaiso University," said man Meghan Hernandez. LGBT group) is hosting an event events are Core approved. gender relative. Then, on April freshman Alexandria Chamelly. Harvie's act was met by equal for the law school. Contact Kimberly Peterson at 9, stand-up comedian Ian Harvie "Ian Harvie made me realize a amounts of laughter and realiza­ The Day of Silence will be held [email protected]. Index A&E 9 Features 7 Opinions. ..5 The Torch "We will strive increasingly to Announcements 2 World News... 4 Sports.... .10 On Guard for 98 Years quicken the public's sense of Volume 106 :: issue 25 civic duty." - The Athenian Oath The Torch | Friday, April 12, 2013 Campus News Campus Announcements We've got VU Observatory and Public Open House VU covered. The VU Department of Physics and Astronomy is holding a viewing that will take place at 8:30 p.m. April 19 in the VU observatory. The viewing will depend on the weather. If it is a cloudy night, VU will offer a constellation program instead in the VU Planetarium located in Neils Science Center. The event is free and open to the public. page Monsanto Lecture on Tort Jurisprudence Professor Martha Chamallas of the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University will be holding a lecture on Tort Jurisprudence at 4 p.m. April 12 in Wesemann Hall. The lec­ ture is sponsored by the Valparaiso University Law School. RSVP with Melissa Mundt. VU Ballroom Social Lessons The Valparaiso University Ballroom team will be holding social lessons to the students of the university at 7 p.m. April 17 in the Mueller Refectory. The event will be two hours long and taught by the dance team. The dance theme for the week will be the Cha Cha. For more information, contact the team. Study Abroad Applications Registering for classes? Plan ahead for study abroad.