Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity has a decade-long tradition regarding the sororities at NIU.
Every year, when the new sorority members receive and sign bids to pledge to respective chapters, they can count on being bombarded with water balloons. But this year, a sorority member got a black eye as a result of this tradition and reported the incident to the Office of Judicial Affairs.
Adam Neubauer, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, was summoned by Larry Bolles, director of the Judicial Affairs office, to write a formal apology to the sororities of NIU.
"This tradition isn't a serious thing at all," Neubauer said. "But a girl got angry and reported it to Dr. Bolles. The injury encompasses all the reasons for our apology. Hopefully she reads the letter and is able to accept our apology."
[...]
"This tradition is one that the university does not approve of, and it will get you into a lot of trouble in the Judicial Affairs Office," Bolles said. "When you throw things, you don't know where it's going to hit on a human being. We're trying to change a lot of traditions involving drinking and partying and fighting to more positive kinds of traditions."
"Traditions should be a guide, not a deluder," Neubauer said in his apology letter. Sigma Phi Epsilon is discontinuing this tradition in the hope of avoiding future conflicts.
Why on earth would she get angry? Oh yeah, assault, bodily injury, humiliation, the usual stuff. Next, we will see the inevitable lawsuit charging Sig Ep with having, ahem, weapons of moist destraction.
Kidding aside, is this really what passes for the behavior of a "Balanced Man"? Judging from the quotes the 'apology' was more in the nature of "The Dean made me write this. I have to say I'm sorry even if I don't mean it. I just don't want to get expelled." Seriously, does heaving water balloons get you fellas a lot of dates? One would think handing out flowers would work way better.
