Westminster College and Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s
Joint Media StatementWestminster College officials have completed their review of the events that took place at a fraternity party March 8, 2008, events that ended with an intoxicated Fulton High School student involved in a car accident. Members of the local Sigma Alpha Epsilon house where the social function took place, cooperated closely with the College in a stringent review of related college and fraternity procedures. From the review of events, it has been determined that some of the detailed policies and procedures put in place by the College and the national fraternity to prevent underage drinking from occurring were not followed.
After College officials consulted with the SAE national office and alumni house corporation, all agreed to strong disciplinary actions against the chapter to emphasize to all Westminster fraternities and sororities that disregard for regulations will not be tolerated. The fraternity regrets the unfortunate incident, accepts the College’s disciplinary actions, and plans to do all it can to make sure similar incidents do not occur in the future.
Disciplinary actions have also been taken against other individual students whose conduct contributed to the incident. Specific details of the disciplinary actions taken cannot be released due to federal privacy regulations for students. However, the message has been sent quite forcefully that Westminster College officials are serious about preventing underage drinking at campus social functions.
Two other significant initiatives have been taken to assist with the prevention of any future incidents. Fraternity and sorority leaders came forward and organized a meeting with Westminster officials to develop more stringent steps that can be taken to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future and that Westminster guidelines for college social functions are being followed.
In addition, College officials have invited representatives from the local high school and churches, William Woods University, the City of Fulton, MADD, and Alcohol and Tobacco Control to meet with Westminster administrators and Greek leaders next week to discuss stronger collaboration in the community to combat underage drinking and prevent such incidents from occurring. The group will seek ways to better share the resources necessary to attack the problem and exploring possible new alternatives to offer young people that will deter them from drinking alcohol.
Westminster College officials and Greek leaders are united in their focus on helping young people make responsible decisions and improving the quality of life on campus and in the Fulton community for all concerned.