Ex South Carolina Phi Beta Sigma Pledge Files Lawsuit

Student Sues Fraternity, USC Over Hazing Incident

An ex-pledge of the University of South Carolina's Phi Beta Sigma fraternity is suing eight brothers, the frat and the college for an extreme case of hazing last October when he said he was beat with baseball bats, belts, paddles, shoes, fists and pots and pans.

Terry Lyvotte Hall, Jr., 20, said he suffered head and arm injuries from the beatings and was hospitalized for nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Phi Beta Sigma was suspended last October after the hazing took place. The brothers involved could face a year in prison and a $500 fine if convicted.

Black is the Color of Love

Black Sororities Offer 'Lifelong Love'

“The main thing that black sororities offer if lifelong membership and love," said Alpha Kappa Alpha sister Shawna Newbill from Richmond, Va.

The Tuscaloosa News reported Sunday in an article that was a primer for those unfamiliar with black sororities.

Washington State University's office of Greek life stated “It is important that each person commit to the purpose of their founders and the organization’s goal for the upliftment of the black race."

The article also identified the "divine nine" international Greek letter organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

These organizations are members of the National Pan Hellenic Council, which was formed in 1930 at Howard University, the traditionally black college.

7 South Carolina Phi Beta Sigma Brothers Charged with Hazing

Seven USC Students Charged in 2006 Hazing Incident

Seven brothers of the University of South Carolina's chapter of Phi Beta Sigma have been charged in connection with an October hazing event as part of an off-campus initiation.

The brothers charged were said to have strangled a pledge with a t-shirt, and then hit him multiple times with a wooden paddle, belt and steel bat. Police also said the pledge was punched more than 100 times in the initiation.

The brother facing charges are Brandon Jerraud Barnes, 21, of Columbia; Brandon Jamal Bomar, 23, of Woodruff; Brandon Elijah Bradley, 22, of Dalzell; Peter Christopher Gaskins, 22, of Lake City; William Levern Henryhand, 21, of Lake City; Travis Reuben Sheffield, 24, of Georgetown; and Larry Bernard Singleton, Jr., 22, of North Charleston.

Bakersfield Greeks Will Raise Money for Virginia Tech Victims

CSUB Fraternities, Sororities to Hold Fundraiser for Virginia Tech Victims

A fraternity and two sororities at the California State University in Bakersfield are planning fundraisers to gather money to help the families of the victims of the tragic Virginia Tech shootings last week.

Kappa Alpha fraternity, which was originally founded in the state of Virginia, along with the girls of Gamma Phi Beta and Phi Sigma Sigma will work together to plan and host an event called the Auction for Healing.

The event will include a barbecue, silent auction, and live music performances. Its set for May 4 at the university

Vandy Greeks Moving In To Ex-Kappa Sig House

NPHC Accept Offer to Occupy Kappa Sigma House

Vanderbilt University is planning on using the vacant Kappa Sigma house in a creative arrangement to house four different fraternities.

Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma plan to jointly occupy the old Kappa Sigma house until at least 2010, when the Kappa Sigs plan to return.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council's president Steven Harris said "We are definitely grateful for the opportunity to use the house as a residence for the NPHC men," he said. "We still realize this is a temporary residence." The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the governing body for the four historically black fraternities.

While the building is not large enough to hold all of the members of all four fraternities, the four fraternities will use the building for social functions, and a select few will live in the house. Previously the fraternities were using the campus social hall for their events.

JMU's One-Man Frat Needs New Brothers

Reaching a Community Through a One-Man Frat

James Madison University chapter of Phi Beta Sigma only has one brother, and he's graduating this spring.

Former football player and sociology major Trent Bosely was the only person to join Phi Beta Sigma when it was established at the university in the spring of 2005. Bosely has been actively trying to recruit new members, because he knows if he doesn't, the Phi Beta Sigma will fade away at JMU.

“People are going for organizations that are cool and popular, not for what they do for the community,” he said.

“He has set the bar as far as how to put on a very elegant program on campus,” said Art Dean, director of multi-cultural affairs at the campus. “In the last year-and-a-half, he has sponsored programs on par with organizations with 20 to 30 people.”

Arrest Made In Latest Alleged Duke Rape

Arrest Made In Assault of Duke Student

As reported by ABC 11:

Durham police have made an arrest in the sexual assault of a Duke University student who was attacked at an off campus party last week.

An 18-year-old female told officers she was at a party in the 400 block of Gattis Street last Sunday when a male raped her in the bathroom.

Just over a week after the report, Durham investigators arrested Michael Burch, 21, Monday and charged him with second-degree rape.

There were at least 50 people at the party organized by members of Phi Beta Sigma at the time of the alleged attack. Investigators took pictures and seized cash and other items from the home after the report was filed last week.

Neighbors say five or six male Duke University students live at the home and those same neighbors say the party was loud and extended into the wee hours of Sunday morning. But those same neighbors tell Eyewitness News the party was rare and call the residents, "good guys."

Another Woman Reports Rape at Duke

Duke Waits in Inquiry Results

As reported by Anne Blythe of the News and Observer:

DURHAM - Duke University administrators will wait for Durham police to finish their investigation of a freshman's allegations that she was raped at an off-campus party before doing an inquiry of their own.

Larry Moneta, Duke vice president of student affairs, said he heard about the incident early Sunday. "We're providing direct support to the woman," he said.

Durham police were called Sunday after an 18-year-old reported being raped in a bathroom there. No charges had been filed late Monday.

Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, organized the party that started Saturday night and continued into the early hours of Sunday. As police investigated the sexual assault allegations Sunday, their inquiry took a different turn.

Neighbors and bystanders reported seeing a duffel bag plummet to the ground from a second-story window. Police filed a second incident report from the home shared by several Duke students.

At 11:11 a.m. Sunday, police filed an incident report for three drug violations: possession of marijuana, Oxycontin and cocaine. No corresponding arrest report was available Monday.

Police declined to give details of the accuser's allegations.

As news of the reported rape spread through the blogosphere Monday, many people questioned whether District Attorney Mike Nifong would show the same interest in the investigation as he did the Duke lacrosse case.

"We haven't made any arrests or anything yet," said Maj. L.A. Russ of the Durham Police Department. "He would not get involved this early."

But in the lacrosse case, Nifong assumed control of the investigation, according to police reports, before any charges were filed.

On March 14, an escort service dancer alleged that she was sexually assaulted at a lacrosse team party. Nifong, according to police notes, had assumed control of the investigation by March 24, the day after all but one member of the team was ordered to a Durham police lab to provide DNA samples. The first indictments in the case came April 17.

Frat Party XLI

It's that time of year again and everyone's favorite excuse to get drunk on a Sunday. Rex Grossman and the Chicago Bears will meet Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in today's Super Bowl.

Frat guys everywhere, but particularly in the states of Illinois and Indiana will be celebrating like none other today, as their coveted NFL franchises will be playing in the big game. Party hard, but be safe. Enjoy the pre-game, game, and post-game.

For your viewing enjoyment, we here at the Frat Boy News have compiled a list of "Frat Guys" playing in today's game.

Chicago Bears:

• Brian Griese, QB, Phi Gamma Delta, University of Michigan.
• Kyle Orton, QB, Pi Kappa Alpha, Purdue University
• Mark Anderson, DE, Omega Psi Phi, University of Alabama
• Alex Brown, DE, Phi Beta Sigma, University of Florida

Indianapolis Colts:

• Marvin Harrison, WR, Delta Sigma Phi, Syracuse University
• Robert Mathis, DE, Omega Psi Phi, Alabama A&M University
  
• Jason David, CB, Omega Psi Phi, Washington State University
  

Free Condoms Coming Soon at Mizzou - Plan Proposed by Phi Beta Sigma

Condom Talks get Hotter
Parent attacks condom plan

Inebriated hook-ups are going to be a little safer at the University of Missouri if a planned proposed by Phi Beta Sigma goes into effect.

The fraternities plan would "place free condoms, sexual health information, female condoms and dental dams in residence halls". However, the program was halted in its tracks by Chancellor Brady Deaton, citing a need to discuss the issue.

One of the catalysts for the kibosh put on the plan was a letter and poem written by a Clifton Berry, a father of an freshman at the university. The first stanza of the poem was indeed memorable, and made his views known: "I condom your behavior as a letch and a whore".

“As far as the students go, I think the approval has been shown,” said Chris Keller,President of Phi Beta Sigma, a historically black fraternity.

In the ensuing debate, a report was compile the the University, "the report divides the issues with condoms into five categories: sexual health, logistical issue, moral issue, political issue and diversity issue."

"I think Chancellor Deaton is starting to listen to the students,” Keller said. “And I’m confident he will make the right decision.”

We here at the FratBoyNews.com certainly hope the plan goes through, because an STD, unlike illegally copied music, is not meant to be shared.

As reported by The Maneater