Florida and Maryland Frats Accused of Hazing

Fraternity Sanctioned for Hazing
Frat Accused of Hazing on Probation

By Patrick W. Connelly
Co-Editor, The Frat Boy News

Following a series of hazing allegations, fraternities at both the University of Florida and University of Maryland have been sanctioned while investigations continue.

Florida's Alpha Tau Omega was placed on probation through the fall of 2008 after a response to allegations the fraternity held a late night "line up" in which pledges were forced to jump into a mud pit when incorrectly answering a question about the chapter's history.

Maryland's chapter of Zeta Beta Tau is facing disciplinary actions for hazing during its initiation ceremony. Pledges were placed in a circle and asked to name the fraternity's founders, the university's student newspaper reported.

In this case if the pledges answered incorrectly, water was dumped on their heads, the newspaper said. One pledge allegedly had 'Shout,' a stain remover used to clean laundry, poured on his head when he missed a founder's name.

"There were a lot of rumors flying around campus," Zeta Beta Tau's Executive Director Jonathan Yulish said. "(The pledge) wasn't blinded. He didn't have chemicals poured in his eye."

Maryland is investigating the chapter's hazing allegations, while its national headquarters has already sanctioned the brothers for violating its policies. The executive board members of the Zeta Beta Tau chapter were removed from their offices and placed on probation that will last through the entirety of their undergraduate careers.

In addition, the chapter must also pay for the hazing investigation and fund an anti-hazing brochure and speaker.

Alpha Tau Omega at Florida was also suspended from hosting social events through the spring of 2008 and each members must complete five hours of community service.

Attacker Targeting Maryland Sorority

The Frat Boy News Daily Police Report

University of Maryland (compiled by NBC4.com)

Female students around the University of Maryland campus are being told to be on the lookout, even in their own homes.

Police said there is a attacker on the loose in College Park, and he is getting bolder. And they are concerned he's targeting women from a particular sorority. The sources did not want to say which sorority is involved for fear it could jeopardize the investigation.

At a forum on the College Park campus, police did say they were looking for any similarities among the victims.Two of the sexual assaults happened early Thursday morning.

All of the incidents happened just east of campus, in neighborhoods heavily occupied by sororities and fraternities, police said. Most of the attacks took place between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Student criticized police at the forum, saying they released too much information about one of the assaults. The victim asked an advocate to tell the audience she was afraid to cooperate any further.

Meantime, police said they are stepping up patrols in the area where the assaults happened, and have plainclothes detectives working the case as well.

Officers also displayed some personal safety devices, like a hand-held motion detector that women can place on their nightstands or hang on their doorknobs to warn them of an intruder.

Homeless Man Charged in Maryland Burglaries

The Frat Boy News daily campus police report for Tuesday:

University of Maryland (compiled by Brady Holt, The Diamondback Online)

A homeless man found sleeping in a dorm at the University of Maryland was charged last week with a string of thefts and burglaries around the campus.

University Police charged Dexter Trimble, 21, with 13 counts of trespassing, theft, burglary, and possession of burglary tools on July 19 after a staff member found him sleeping in the building July 10 with stolen property.

Last week's arrest comes after multiple incidents of Trimble using the dorm as shelter. Police first found Trimble, whom they said is homeless and has no affiliation with the university, on May 29 as he slept in room 1318. Trimble was told to leave the campus and not return. But on the morning of June 19, police found him again in room 1108B.

"I'm sure he'd been here before," University Police spokesman Paul Dillon said. Police spokeswoman Maj. Cathy Atwell added that Trimble "had no lawful business at the university."

Trimble also entered McKeldin Library on June 22 and allegedly stole a purse, cell phone and credit cards, police said.

Police said they do not know why Trimble was sleeping in the dorm. He may be homeless because his father threw him out of his house, said Vicki Duncan, a spokeswoman for the Prince George's County Department of Corrections. Trimble did not respond to requests for comment.

Trimble has been charged in 15 separate incidents since May 2005. He was charged with motor vehicle theft and malicious destruction in September 2006 and was found guilty on lesser charges.

Trimble's case will go to court for the latest charges on Sept. 27, but Duncan expects him to be released.

Maryland's Zeta Beta Tau Brothers Share More Than Just Their Fraternal Bond

Brothers in Arms

Brothers of the traditionally Jewish fraternity Zeta Beta Tau at the University of Maryland have found that they always have a place to celebrate the holidays of their religion, thanks to their strong bond of brotherhood.

"I had three or four guys home this Passover," David Enghorn, a brother of the fraternity, told a local newspaper. "My parents say that if any of the guys are looking for a place to celebrate the holidays, they can come to our house. The frat can be a network for people who don't have a place to go for the holidays."

Enghorn's biological brothers Brendan, Jeff and Scott were also brothers of Zeta Beta Tau at Maryland and are all pictured to the right.

Maryland's Phi Sigma Sigma Holds Vigil for Murdered Sister

Maryland Sorority Honors Murdered Sister

Two students from universities on opposite sides of the country were shot and killed in February in a parking lot at Arizona State. The shooter then killed himself.

Nicole Schiffman, a sophomore at the University of Maryland, had flown across the country to visit friend Carol Kestenbaum at Arizona State University to celebrate her birthday. While returning to her apartment early Sunday morning, the girls were shot by 22-year old Joshua Mendel, a resident of Tempe, Arizona.

Nicole's Phi Sigma Sigma sisters at Maryland held a vigil in her honor earlier this week. They read poetry Nicole had written.

"It still hasn't even hit people. I still feel like I'm going to see her, just not today. I can't really imagine never seeing her again," said Robyn Geller, Nicole's former roommate.

Mendel opened fire on the girls in the parking lot, and turned and shot himself. Police believe he plotted the murder in response to critical remarks she made about the relationship he had with his girlfriend, and that Schiffman was caught in the middle of the dispute without having any previous relationship with the murderer.

Maryland Delts Served Alcohol at Parties; May Have Caused 2005 Deaths

Fraternity Named in Scrocca Lawsuit

A former brother of Delta Tau Delta's chapter at the University of Maryland said his fraternity didn't live up to its motto, which says "committed to lives of excellence," in the 2005 death of his roommate.

Stephen "Tex" Aarons has sued Delta Tau Delta, saying that the fraternity's "chaotic environment" contributed to the April 2005 death of his roommate Michael Scrocca, who died in a fire following a frat party at their house. He says that the fraternity has done little to change its image since the fatality, and continues to endorse drinking as a part of college life.

Daniel Murray, who was convicted for starting the fire, has been sentenced to more than 37 years in prison. Aarons' claims that the parties drunken atmosphere the night of the fatal blaze encouraged the fire.

Delta Tau Delta's lawyers denied in court that the party was sponsored by the fraternity. After the fire, four kegs and several cases of malt liquor were found at the scene.

Alpha Phi Girls Can Swim, Ride Bikes and Run

Sorority Sisters Train for Triathalon

Six sisters of the University of Maryland's chapter of Alpha Phi are training to participate in a triathalon, with the hopes of raising $25,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Alpha Phi sister Danielle Posa, a junior, was diagnosed with lymphoma when she was just five years old. About five years later, she was declared cancer free.

Posa and five of her sisters plan to swim, bike and run in the 10-kilometer St. Anthony's Triathalon this weekend in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The girls will accept donations through June 30.

Maryland Sigma Chi Chapter Wants to Destroy Historic House

Fraternity Fights To Tear Down House

While most fraternities fight to keep their house, th Sigma Chi's at the University of Maryland want their fraternity house torn down.

They are not without reason though, the historic Sigma Chi house at the University of Maryland is in disrepair. The fraternity's house corporation has attempted to have the building, which is located in a historic neighborhood, torn down. They plan on building a new house on the same grounds, with more modern amenities.

Fraternity has run into stiff resistance from the local Historic Preservation Commission. They view demolition as the last resort for any building in their jurisdiction.

The fraternity contend the building is unsafe, with faulty electrical an no sprinkler system. The preservation commission contends that the building condition is the result of neglect from the fraternity.

Barry DesRoches, alumnus in charge of the demolition permit application, had a solid explanation of the fraternities motives for the demolition. "We believe we're acting in the best interests of not only the fraternity, but the university and the neighborhood by building a new house."

"I've been through the house numerous times, and it's constantly broken into."

"The buildings are older and not built to today's codes, They need to be updated. What's more important than physical appearance is that the students living in them are safe, and I think putting added bureaucracy and red tape in the way of changes that promote safety isn't the right thing to do."

I Kissed a Drunk Girl

Get Your Brackets In!

The 2007 NCAA Tournament tips off in less than 24 hours. Its time to check your bracket over and make sure you believe deep inside your heart that schools like Wright State and Davidson can make it out of the first round.

Think your bracket can hang with the big guns? Sign up for The Frat Boy News College Hoops Challenge, exclusivey on Facebook.

Click on the small bracket to print your official Frat Boy News Bracket to keep track of your picks.

Maryland Student Urinates on Roommate

The Frat Boy News daily campus police report for Wednesday:

The University of Maryland (compiled by The Sophian)
March 11 - 6:20 a.m.: A resident told police he was sleeping when he awoke to his roommate urinating on him. The victim said he was unsure of his roommate's motivation, but said he believed the roommate had been drinking. When police arrived later in the morning, they informed the victim he could press charges of assault with battery, or that he could refer the suspect to the Office of Judicial Programs. Charges had not been filed as of yesterday, police said.

March 11 - 2:10 a.m.: An student was assaulted by an assailant who was with a group of 10 to 15 men and women. An exchange began when the student was walking from Fraternity Row toward the campus with several friends. The victim, who was struck several times, called police, but the assailant has not been identified.

March 11: A 21-year-old student was studying in the library when a man approached him and told the student he was not allowed to chew gum in the library. The student discarded the gum. The 42-year-old man then approached the student a short time later and took a picture of the student, telling him he was going to report the student. The student reported the incident to police, who identified the man as having no university affiliation or business on the campus and denied him access.

D.C. Shop Sells the Exclusive Greek Gear Everyone Wants

Pledged To Greek Gear

Fraternity guys and sorority girls in Washington D.C. know exactly where they can find the latest in Greek apparel and accesories each year during rush.

The University Shop, which opened 14 years ago in Washington D.C., is the exclusive location where students can get officially licensed merchandise for his or her sorority or fraternity. Students from the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, George Mason, Georgetown, and George Washington all spend serious amounts of cash each spring at the store, especially during the period between rush and initiation.

"It's tough to be in such a niche business," said store manager Derek Martino.

"Girls come in here, spend $60 on a paddle and think this store makes tons of money, but they don't see how slow it can be the rest of the year," he said. Sororities and fraternities have become more aggressive in policing the use of their signature Greek letters, and only 350 stores like the one in D.C. can officially sell the products.

Girls Who Were Killed at Arizona State Lived a Life of Laughter

The Frat Boy News Daily College Column
By Ben Slivnick, The University of Maryland's Diamondback Online

Her Facebook is already enshrined with comments from the various friends that Nicole Schiffman touched in her brief time at the university and at home. But just days before, Schiffman's childhood friend, Carol Kestenbaum, had promised they would have a great time the weekend of her visit.

"The two of them together were crazy," said sophomore Robyn Geller, "Everyone knew that when Nicole went to visit Carol this weekend that they were going to have the best weekend ever."

But the weekend took a tragic turn when Schiffman was fatally shot Sunday with Kestenbaum in Tempe, Ariz., the victim of a murder police say was committed by a man she never met. Kestenbaum had turned 20 on Sunday, and Schiffman, also 20, was there to celebrate her birthday.

Kestenbaum wrote on Schiffman's Facebook wall before she arrived in Tempe: "wow this time tomorrow is going to be... REDICULOUSSSSSSSSSSSSLLLLLYYYYY AMMMAZINGGGGLLYY OUT OF CONTROLLLLLLL."

Last year, when Geller and Schiffman were roommates, a blown-up picture of Schiffman and Kestenbaum and the rest of their high school crew adorned the wall, surrounded by a collection of smaller photos capturing the good times they had together. Geller said the black-and-white shots showed them in natural state: goofing off, making silly faces, laughing.

Known among friends as the comedian of their group, Schiffman, a sophomore journalism major and a member of sorority Phi Sigma Sigma, was hardly the serious bookworm her dean's list status might suggest. Rather, at Japanese restaurants, friends remembered her as the diner who would clown with chopsticks dangling from her ears - she was a lover of laughter, whether she was provoking or participating.

Schiffman's life ended in a flash of unimaginable and staggering violence. Police said the man who shot Schiffman and Kestenbaum was angry over a comment Kestenbaum made about her friend's relationship with him. Police identified him as Joshua Mendel, a 22-year-old Tempe resident. Police told reporters he shot Kestenbaum first, then Schiffman as she tried to run away. He then turned the gun on himself.

It was a brutal death for a woman with such a playful personality. Her spontaneity surprised even those who knew her well, Geller said. Just over a week ago, Schiffman was the only friend among her high school group to decide to travel across the country to celebrate Kestenbaum.

Along with Schiffman's goofball quirks came a certain degree of messiness. She was sometimes just too active to keep track of things, Geller said. But even when she'd lose her wallet or other important possessions, Schiffman wouldn't let things bother her, Geller said.

"She wouldn't let things bother her because she knew it wasn't worth it," Geller said. "And when you'd see her come to you so happy and cheerful, that just made you happy."

Her lively personality and knack for making others smile made her an ideal camp counselor at Sands Beach Club day camp, where she worked during her high school summers, said sophomore letters and sciences major Bryan Kerner.

"If you were in a room and someone said something that wasn't funny, Nicole would be the first person to laugh and make the other person feel good about themselves," Kerner said.

As an active member of the sorority Phi Sigma Sigma, Schiffman frequently participated in community service projects with other members. Distraught by the sudden death of their sorority sister, they gathered for the past two nights sharing memories about Schiffman. Requests for interviews about Schiffman's life were declined by Phi Sigma Sigma members, who said they were barred from speaking to the media.

In a statement released by the sorority's national organization, Jennifer Sims, a sophomore communications major identified as a close friend, remembered, "Nicole Schiffman valued her friendships and loved to have fun, yet knew how to balance it all as a successful student, loving sister and an amazing daughter. Nicole's joy and warmth will be missed but certainly never forgotten."
Ben Slivnick is a staff reporter for The Diamondback Online.

Two Girls Killed at Arizona State

Students Killed in Murder-Suicide at ASU

Two students from universities on opposite sides of the country were shot and killed around 4 a.m. Sunday in a parking lot of an apartment complex as Arizona State. The shooter then killed himself.

Nicole Schiffman, a sophomore at the University of Maryland, had flown across the country to visit friend Carol Kestenbaum at Arizona State University to celebrate her birthday. While returning to her apartment early Sunday morning, the girls were shot by 22-year old Joshua Mendel, a resident of Tempe, Arizona.

Mendel opened fire on the girls in the parking lot, and turned and shot himself. Police believe he plotted the murder in response to critical remarks she made about the relationship he had with his girlfriend, and that Schiffman was caught in the middle of the dispute without having any previous relationship with the murderer.

Miss Kestenbaum (pictured on the left above) was a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority at ASU. The sisters have declined to comment on the horrific loss of a friend.