UNT fraternity members face arrest in alcohol case

[MereMere21]

http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews....405e68bf.html

08:35 PM CST on Tuesday, November 11, 2003

By TABITHA CHANCELLOR / Denton Record-Chronicle

University of North Texas police have issued arrest warrants for six Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity members for furnishing alcohol to minors, said Deputy Chief Ed Reynolds.


"We're pretty much finished with the criminal investigation," he said. "They know the warrants are out for them. We gave them an opportunity to come and turn themselves in this morning [Tuesday], to save them time with booking and processing, but they neglected to show up."


The warrants were issued as a part of the criminal investigation of an October event that also resulted in the fraternity's suspension from the university, Reynolds said.


The university suspended the fraternity for four years after police found a freshman pledge unconscious near a trash bin on Oak Street on Oct.12. University officials determined the student had been drinking at a fraternity event and that the fraternity was in violation of its own policy and the school's. Officials suspended the fraternity for four years.


"These are six of the fraternity members who played a significant role in making the alcohol available," he said.


He declined to elaborate.


A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both fine and confinement.

"The university acted immediately after the incident to suspend the organization," said Kelley Reese, a university spokeswoman.


Some fraternity members told the Denton Record-Chronicle in October that while there was alcohol at the event, the university's story was exaggerated and no one was forced to drink. University police and fraternity members said the student wasn't seriously injured.


Because of federal laws, Reese said, the school cannot comment on any actions taken by individual students. It is a violation of the university's code of conduct for students to break any law, she said, including possessing alcohol when underage or distributing alcoholic beverages to minors.


The university could, Reese said, take action against any individual that violates this policy and the sanction could range from a verbal or written admonishment to expulsion.


The university has suspended six fraternities since 2000, including three during the last academic year.