JSU, fraternity discipline student over racial slur

In light of the current NFL-focused conversation over bullying and 'crossing the line' in speech or texts we saw this. A member of SigEp shouted a racial slur at another fraternity during a football game. Not only has he been disciplined by the school but he is also now a "former" member of SigEp.

What about the punishment? Too harsh? Not enough? About right?

Anniston Star - JSU fraternity discipline student over racial slur at game:
by Laura Gaddy
lbgaddy@annistonstar.com

A Jacksonville State University student and former fraternity member is facing disciplinary action for allegedly using a racial slur against another student at a football game in September.

A university spokeswoman provided a statement from JSU today that acknowledged the incident, at JSU’s home game Sept. 7 against Jacksonville University, and said the student responsible, then a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, had been disciplined for making “racially offensive comments to another fraternity and its members.”

The university today declined to identify the student or describe the disciplinary action he faces, citing the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects release of students’ educational information.

JSU police Chief Shawn Giddy said today that a police report had been filed in connection with the incident. He said officers investigated and determined that the student had used the slur. Giddy said the victims decided against pressing charges.

JSU’s statement said the student’s actions were the focus of an investigation by JSU this fall, which reviewed the student’s conduct and attempted to determine whether his fraternity had played a role in the incident.

A spokesman at Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Richmond, Va., headquarters today declined to answer questions about the incident.

Randy Vice, the adviser for the local fraternity chapter, said in an email that “once the full extent of the behaviors were brought to light, the chapter asked for and received the resignation of the young man responsible.”

Vice also said that the student’s actions were not representative of all members of the fraternity chapter and added that Sigma Phi Epsilon at JSU has included minority members since 1991. Attempts to reach Vice by phone were not successful this evening.

JSU’s statement said the local fraternity issued a public apology concerning the incident, and the group will participate in diversity and cultural sensitivity training.

“The university regrets that one of its students failed to uphold the institution’s high standards of conduct expected of all associated with the institution,” the release from the university states. “The university will use this incident as a learning opportunity to educate all members of the JSU community about the importance of the diversity and respect for the feeling of others in our society.”

'via Blog this'

New Board Member Announced

In a statement to be released later today, Sigma Phi Epsilon Grand President Steve Shanklin will announce the vacant position on the National Board of Directors will be filled by Archer Yeatts, Past Grand President and holder of the Order of the Golden Heart.

"In a special meeting of the Sigma Phi Epsilon National Board of Directors on June 24, 2008, Past Grand President and Order of the Golden Heart Archer L. Yeatts, III, was chosen to fill a vacant position on the Board until the Grand Chapter Conclave in August, 2009. In accordance with the National Bylaws, this appointment is on an interim basis until the meeting of the 51st Grand Chapter Conclave in Orlando next year. At that time, the unexpired portion of the vacated term will be filled by a brother chosen in the ordinary course of the Conclave election process by the undergraduate delegates.

Brother Yeatts’ term of service will begin immediately upon taking the Oath of Office as provided for all elected members to national office in Sigma Phi Epsilon. We are most grateful to Archie for his acceptance of the Fraternity’s call to service and extend our heartiest congratulations on his selection."

The vacant position was due to the resignation earlier this year of Brent Bentrim, who had been elected to the NBD at the 2007 Conclave in Atlanta GA.

Not with a bang....

So, now we see what HQ has to say. Not much.

It is really amazing what you can find if you know where to look and who to ask. This did not come directly from a staffer, but I am confident of its authenticity:

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Subject: Re: Bentrim Resignation

All Staff:

Brother Brent Bentrim has resigned from the National Board of Directors and resigned his membership in Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. This is an unfortunate ending to his long involvement in the Fraternity, apparently resulting from personal differences with members of the Fraternity's leadership.

The Bylaws state that the board shall elect a member to serve in an interim basis until the next Conclave, at which the Grand Chapter will elect a member to serve the remaining four years of Brent's term.

Sigma Phi Epsilon has long benefited from strong leadership on a clear mission to continue enhancing the relevance of the American college fraternity as a valued partner in higher education. We have an awful lot of work to do. We carry on.

Please make appropriate changes to membership and Board rosters and distribution lists.

Craig.

As much fun as it has been the last few days to wallow in scandal and speculate on who did what to whom, the facts remain stubbornly resistant to change.

Challenge the status quo and you threaten those whose "quo" is the "status." When threatened, the first response is to defend turf. Leaders are those who can inspire others to overcome their tendency to stay put, not those who insist that "not invented here (by me)" is a valid criticism.

From an undisclosed location, I am Diogenes, and I approved this message.

Breaking News - NBD Resignation

We have received word that a member of the SigEp National Board of Directors has resigned.

Brent Bentrim sent his resignation in an email to the board members last Thursday in which he cited his differences with certain policies. The strongly worded email, called "the Buzzard letter" because of certain references, ended with his statement of resignation from the Board. A source who requested to remain anonymous but is acquainted with the facts has confirmed that the board is in the process of accepting the resignation.

Bentrim (College of Charleston '94), was elected to the Board just last year at the Atlanta Conclave.

Our source also confirmed that the process of replacing Bentrim will take place "by the letter" as provided for in the bylaws. Details of the process of acceptance and replacement were not provided because of "possible legal action."

Additional questions about the termination of a key HQ staffer were answered with a comment that the contract runs until later this year and the executive council will make a recommendation to the full board regarding its renewal.

Bentrim's information has already been removed from the fraternity website.

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Editor's Comment: Because of the sensitive nature of the comments in "the Buzzard letter" we have made a decision not to publish it. In our opinion to do so would not be in the best interests of the Fraternity.

HQ Resignation

Chris Minnis, Director of Operations, has resigned from the staff of SigEp HQ. In a letter reporting results of ongoing operations Minnis concluded with:

On a final note, this is my last report to you. After eight years of service and earning an MBA from the University of Richmond, I am leaving my role with the Headquarters staff. The Fraternity has been very good to me over the years, I am thankful for this fact and all the hard work that you, as volunteers and fraternity leaders, have put into making our fraternity successful. There are many more mountains to climb, and I look forward to SigEp's future exploits. I will be taking on a role with Dot Foods, Inc. out of St. Louis serving as District Sales Manager for North and South Carolina. My family and I are very excited for this new chapter in our lives.

Goodbye Chris, and best of luck in your future endeavors. After eight years at HQ it is high time you started earning what you are worth!

(PS: No, this is not what the "teaser" is about.)