The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Kappa Sigma chapter suspended over party

The Northeastern chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity was suspended last week after an off-campus party held this month was broken up by police, officials said yesterday.

The limited, or administrative, suspension will continue until the administration completes its investigation of the Mission Hill party that resulted in eight students being summonsed by Boston police, and many more reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR).

Boston Police Department (BPD) officers responded to a noise complaint at 8 Eldora St. in Roxbury Oct. 1.

The house is inhabited by several members of the chapter, including President Rob Ranley.

Several members of the fraternity’s executive board – including Ranley, Grand Procurator Lyle Stevens, Grand Treasurer Dustin Leer and Director of Public Relations Matthew Brem – were among those summonsed.

In addition, BPD officers took the names of as many as 80 other students at the party.

It is university policy to issue suspensions and investigate incidents that the university receives notification about from police, Acting Director of Student Leadership and Engagement Laura Parrillo said in an e-mail.

Parrillo, who also serves as Greek advisor, said: “My office will place any chapter on administrative suspension when there is reasonable suspicion that the chapter might have been involved in violating policy or community standards.”

Ranley was formally notified of the investigation in a letter from Parrillo last week.

The letter states that the fraternity may continue to operate “on a limited basis pending the resolution of incidents reported to the university,” and must suspend all social events and activities until further notice.

Parrillo said “either individual members of the fraternity or the fraternity or both” may ultimately face sanctions by the university as a result of the incident.

If the fraternity is found responsible, the case would be resolved by the Greek Executive Council, the governing body of the Greek community at Northeastern.

Kappa Sigma National Executive Director Mitchell Wilson said although he has only received a “preliminary report” of the incident, it is currently under investigation by the fraternity’s headquarters.

“It just means that we go and try to look at the allegations that have been raised to determine if there’s a violation or not,” Wilson said.

When he was informed of Northeastern’s investigation, Ranley said it seemed to mark “unfamiliar territory” for both the fraternity and the university.

“It was one of those things where [Parrillo] had to look at precedent and figure it out,” he said, “So I think there was a lot of gray area and something that the university really needs to look at in terms of Greek life.”

The fraternity will not be allowed to recruit members until the investigation is resolved, but Kappa Sigma members can continue to hold regular meetings in the Curry Student Center, Parrillo said in the letter.

Ranley was also asked in the letter to submit a list of all current and recently-inducted members of the fraternity to the university.

Parrillo ended her letter by suggesting those involved consider the possible consequences of their actions.

“I urge the brothers of the Kappa Sigma fraternity to reflect on the seriousness of the situation, and to conduct themselves accordingly,” she said.

Nevertheless, Ranley said he is optimistic for the road ahead.

“I think a lot of it has to do with past precedent, but then again, there’s really very little to base it on,” he said. “But nothing’s been filed, nothing’s been charged, and it’s all just pending, pending, pending.”

A source with knowledge of the situation who requested to remain anonymous said other Greek organizations may also face an investigation stemming from the incident.

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