Sigma Pi under investigation after a girl is found in critical condition

By Krystin Nichols
Western Herald

A “cease and desist” order against Western Michigan University’s Sigma Pi has been put into effect by the university after an 18-year-old woman fell from a balcony during a party at the fraternity’s house.

The woman, from Portland, Mich., was found around 12:50 a.m. by police who were contacted for a noise violation at 1714 Fraternity Village Drive. The woman was  rushed to Bronson Hospital where she remains listed in critical condition.

She is not a WMU student.

“WMU staff members are reaching out to the girl’s family to see if we can be of any assistance,” said Cheryl Roland, executive director of university relations.

A cease and desist order means that Sigma Pi is under police investigation and must stop operating as an organization and take down or cover their letters.

“The cease and desist order was issued to preserve the city’s and university’s investigations into the incident. We were given support in this decision by the fraternity’s executive office,” said Kristin Fouts, assistant director of RSO development and Greek Life.

It is unclear as to how many people were on the balcony when the woman fell; however, there were more than 200 people at the party and there are no results at this time of the woman’s blood-alcohol level.

A number of safety violations were found within Sigma Pi, including having disabled fire alarms, an unsafe deck and stairs and no sprinkling systems.

City officials have condemned the fraternity’s house as an investigation continues into how the woman fell from the house’s second-story balcony, which had loose and missing planks.

The national Sigma Pi organization is also conducting an investigation.

“To my understanding, the city has closed the house over possible code violations so the members who lived there are now trying to make alternative living arrangements,” Roland said.

“University officials have met with the IFC president and chapter presidents today to discuss the situation and reaffirm the organizations responsibilities,” Roland said.

Fraternities and sororities, thought not monitored by WMU, have been reminded that they are not to throw parties during this week, which is WMU’s Welcome Week.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=19617

Posted by kleonard on Sep 1 2010. Filed under Breaking, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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