Sorority says banishment by UConn a poor decision

PAT EATON-ROBB
Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A sorority banned from the University of Connecticut for hazing is calling that punishment extreme and says it is considering an appeal.

Elizabeth Baily, the national vice president of Kappa Kappa Gamma, said that removing an entire chapter from campus “for the poor decisions made by a few individuals at an unsanctioned event is wrong.” Bailey said in an email that the sorority will respond to UConn after final exams, which end Friday, to allow the students in the local chapter to focus on academics.

The school revoked the sorority’s registration and recognition Wednesday and ordered it out of its campus house by May 15 after finding it hazed members in March.

“UConn has zero tolerance for hazing and all similarly harmful behaviors, and repeatedly makes those expectations clear to all student leaders in Greek life and other organizations,” school spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said in an email.

Kappa Kappa Gamma has until May 14 to file its appeal. If the punishment is upheld, it may re-apply as a student organization in four years.

“Kappa views the punishment as extreme and plans to discuss an appeal with the chapter’s leadership before the university’s deadline,” Baily said.

UConn sophomore and Kappa Kappa Gamma member Hillary Holt says she was taken to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s off-campus house on March 6 and forced to commit humiliating acts, including being told to lie on the floor and pretend to “sizzle like bacon.” She said she was then pressured to drink alcohol to the point of passing out.

Holt said she woke up in a hospital and was told her blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08.

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, where the hazing allegedly took place, is expected to learn its fate following a review meeting next week.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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