Fights mar weekend frat parties

In several unrelated incidents this weekend, four fraternities were involved in altercations, one which ended in the arrest of four University students and another leading to the hospitalization of several others. "What happened this week is reprehensible," said Hayden Horowitz, president of the InterFraternity Council. "As soon as we gather the information and we find out all the details through an investigation, we will take action." On Friday night, during a party at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house, a fight broke out between members of the University's Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the SAE chapter from Drexel University. Peter Hall, 20, Clinton Mates, 19, Edward McBride, 20, and John Sikoryak, 20 -- three of which are University students -- were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. According to University Police Sergeant Keith Christian, the four were issued citations and will now have to appear before a judge. SAE President and College junior Bob Kellett explained that the situation began inside of the house at 3908 Spruce Street, and then moved outside. "It was not a fight between ATO and any of the brothers in our house," he said. "It just occurred at our house, and had nothing to do with our brotherhood. We tried to limit the situation." ATO President Derek Pijut refused to discuss details of the situation. "It really doesn't matter," the College senior said. "There is nothing to talk about." Pijut rejected suggestions of rivalry within the Greek system, saying, "it wasn't a fraternity thing." In a separate incident Friday evening, University Police stationed at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house responded to a call that mace was sprayed inside the house. No one was arrested, and an investigation is ongoing, Christian said. Alpha Epsilon Pi President and College junior Gregg Adelman said that a fight preceded the actual spraying, which resulted in the house's evacuation and the hospitalization of several students. "There was an altercation in the house, and then someone came back with Mace," he said. "The house had to be cleared because it was impairing the breathing ability of everyone." Adelman denied rumors implicating the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, and like other fraternity officials, attempted to put the incidents behind him. "I can't say whether they were from ZBT or PiKa or whatever," Adelman said. "I would chalk it up as an incident." He also denied reports that a stinkbomb released in the ZBT house the next night involved any AEPi brothers. "As far as I know, the people I talked to denied it," Adelman said. He added that he has taken preventative measures to ensure against any future disturbances. "I was working the door at ZBT to make sure none of the people involved in the incident went in," he said. Representatives from ZBT said they were not sure who was responsible for the stinkbomb, but denied any participation in the Mace-spraying incident. "As far as we know, we have nothing to do with it," said one brother, who asked not to be identified. "As far as we're concerned, everything's over." The brothers said they have "no idea" who was the culprit behind the stinkbomb. Several brothers said they don't suspect the stinkbomb was retaliation for ZBT's suspected role in the Mace-spraying. "Names got thrown around, but one incident does not represent the mentality of a group of 90 to 100 guys," they added. Horowitz said appropriate action will be taken to punish the responsible parties in all three incidents, but said the Greek system as a whole could not be held accountable. "It's unfortunate incidents such as these reflect poorly on members of the Greek system, but in no way do I think people should judge the entire Greek system on the actions of a few individuals," Horowitz said.