Frat prank draws police attention

University Police discovered brothers and pledges of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity removing shrubbery from Eisenlohr Hall's front yard Friday night, University President Judith Rodin confirmed last night. Eisenlohr, the official home of the University president, is located at 38th and Walnut streets. "My housekeeper found the students taking the shrubbery from my house," Rodin said. "I understand that everything has been returned and replanted, and we hope that the students have learned their lesson." Police responded to phone calls that perpetrators were "uprooting shrubbery," and caught the SAM affiliates around 4:12 p.m. at Low Rise North, located at 39th and Walnut streets, according to University Police Sergeant Keith Christian. He added that a police report was filed against those involved. Acting Judicial Inquiry Officer Michele Goldfarb will investigate the incident, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. But Reikofski said he does not believe this was an example of hazing. "[Pledges] were given instructions to find some dead branches to help decorate the house for their party," he explained. "I just feel like some common sense needs to be used." Reikofski said he advised SAM to "document the incident" in order to make the investigation easier. Interfraternity Council President Josh Gottheimer, an Alpha Epsilon Pi brother, said he does not believe the incident was necessarily "pledge-related." "It's more like a Sammy-related incident because there were brothers involved in collecting [shrubbery]," the College junior said. "I think it's an unfortunate incident." Gottheimer added that he does not believe Friday's incident will have a negative effect on University Greeks. "Of course I'm disappointed, but I like the fact that the brotherhood has spoken with OFSA and taken quick action to remedy the situation," he said. "That shows a sense of responsibility for their actions -- it's a step in the right direction." Reikofski said the incident was "kind of silly," and speculated that the University would not punish the fraternity. "A lot of the problems and misunderstandings just come from a lack of understanding and common sense," he said. "The party was well-decorated because there were a lot of twigs and branches and stuff, but I didn't know where they got them from," according to College freshman Mike Malvey, whose roommate is a SAM pledge. Sigma Alpha Mu President and College sophomore Matt Kabaker was unavailable for comment last night.