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Male Sexual Abuse: A Guide
Such is the case of the Kappa Sigma chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
Last week, USM officials revoked Kappa Sigma’s charter because its members conducted an initiation ritual for members of its little sister organization that resulted in two young women having to be taken to Forrest General Hospital. One was treated and released the next day. But the other, a 20-year-old from Waveland, has been hospitalized since the night of Aug. 28 to cope with the consequences of a life-threatening blood-alcohol level of .47 percent.
USM officials did not seem to act quickly at first, but after the incident became widely known via press reports, the appropriate steps were taken to deal with the offending fraternity.
When parents send their students off to a college or university they are entrusting their most precious treasures to that institution, and have every right to expect great care and oversight of those young people. Not only in the classrooms and dormitories, but also in the organizations sanctioned by the schools. Yes, there is the matter of parental training and personal responsibility on the part of students, but the university must have stringent regulations and enforcement to protect those who are enrolled.
For USM and all of the other institutions of higher learning, the lesson of this hazing gone terribly wrong must not be lost, or ignored.
Link to the self-published book by Ruth Harten is
Ruth’s contact info is rhartensoul@gmail.com
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Kappa Sigma statement
Kappa Sigma Fraternity RELEASES OFFICIAL STATEMENT
CONCERNING INVESTIGATIONS INTO ACTIVITIES OF ITS CHAPTER
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (September 5, 2008) – Kappa Sigma Fraternity today
released the following official statement concerning an ongoing
investigation of its chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi.
The Epsilon-Nu Chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi was
ordered to cease all activities effective August 29, 2008, when the
General Fraternity learned of an incident that allegedly occurred
Thursday, August 28, 2008, pending completion of the University of
Southern Mississippi’s investigation and Kappa Sigma’s own internal
investigation.
Subsequently, the Supreme Executive Committee of Kappa Sigma Fraternity
today voted to suspend the charter of the Epsilon-Nu Chapter, following
the University’s decision to withdraw the chapter’s recognition.
The activities alleged to have occurred last Thursday represent
violations of Kappa Sigma’s Code of Conduct, including the Fraternity’s
policies prohibiting hazing and concerning alcohol use and social
events. Â In addition, Kappa Sigma’s Code of Conduct expressly prohibits
“little sister” programs. Â These types of programs have in fact been
prohibited by the Fraternity for more than 20 years. Â The activities
which allegedly occurred last Thursday run contrary to everything for
which Kappa Sigma stands and, if true, will not be tolerated.
Kappa Sigma has and will continue to cooperate fully with local law
enforcement and school officials regarding this matter.
About Kappa Sigma Fraternity
Kappa Sigma Fraternity was founded December 10, 1869 at the University
of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Â Kappa Sigma is one of the
five largest fraternities in North America, with more than 235,000
initiates. Â Currently, Kappa Sigma has over 250 Chapters and Colonies in
the United States and Canada. Â Known as the most preferred Fraternity in
North America, more men pledge Kappa Sigma each year than any other
Fraternity.
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