JIO investigating SAE's actions

Interim Judicial Inquiry Officer Catherine Schifter confirmed reports yesterday that she is investigating the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity for an incident involving a naked man being tied to a gate. "It is unusual behavior on this campus and has the potential of violating the General Code of Conduct at minimum," she said. "It is also possible that the young men in their action may have violated policies or standards of the national Sigma Alpha Epsilon and it is our responsibility to look into those issues." No one at the national organization of SAE located in Evanston, Illinois, could be reached for comment yesterday. Schifter also said the possibility of indecent exposure charges and the question of whether the "victim" consented to being stripped and tied up are both of importance in her investigation. She added that even if the "victim" consented to being tied up, "that doesn't necessarily let the chapter off the hook." The University's General Code of Conduct describes how students should act while they are members of the University community. According to University Policies and Procedures under General Conduct, "All students of the University must conduct themselves at all times in a mature and responsible manner. The rights and property of all persons are to be respected regardless of time or place." Schifter said her office receives an average of 20 to 30 new cases each month, but only about 20 percent of them are fraternity- or sorority-related. The incident came into public view when five female College freshmen, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they saw a naked man with a rope around his neck tied to the front gate of SAE's house on Spruce Street. They also said that the man was covered in either ketchup, chocolate syrup, grease or paint. One woman suggested that the paint appeared to be the colors of the Buffalo Bills, who lost the Super Bowl Sunday night. SAE President and Engineering junior Will McAlexander declined to comment again last night on any new aspects of the case.