SAM event prompts inquiry

The Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity is being investigated by the University for possible rush infractions stemming from a rowdy and destructive trip to a New Jersey bowling alley. The fraternity -- located at 3817 Walnut Street -- held an invite-only rush event Wednesday night at a bowling alley in Mount Holly, N.J. Brothers allegedly brought with them five kegs and left with hundreds of bowling balls, pins and shoes, according to Holly Bowl manager Bill Little. Little called the state police after more than 100 SAM brothers and prospective pledges allegedly charged the alley's lanes before fleeing the alley with the stolen equipment. If the brothers are found to have violated InterFraternity Council rules, the fraternity could be placed on probation, according to outgoing IFC Vice President for Rush Jeff Snyder. Joseph Michelotti, the bowling alley's cashier, said the brothers did not respond to several warnings that they were being too rowdy. "We pulled them over a dozen times over the loudspeaker, [but] no matter what we said, they still didn't listen to us," he said. State police officers caught up with the fraternity's buses on State Highway 38, less than a mile away from the bowling alley. According to Little, authorities found 150 bowling pins, 50 to 60 bowling balls and 30 to 40 pairs of rental shoes on the buses, as well as several kegs. There were no arrests made. SAM President Michael Kraver, a College senior, refused to comment on the incident. The presence of kegs during a rush event is a "violation of the dry policy that IFC has and that [Sigma Alpha Mu's] national has," said Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. And Snyder, a Wharton senior, said that if rush policies were in fact violated, the IFC Judicial Inquiry Board would evaluate the event and its potential repercussions. But according to Snyder, the potential infraction is not likely to affect SAM's prospective pledge class. "By the time any decision is handed down, [SAM] probably will have already extended their bids," Snyder said. SAM Rush Chairperson Evan Kipperman, a College sophomore, said he did not foresee the event hurting the size of SAM's pledge class. He said he spoke with 20 to 25 rushees after the outing, who told him SAM was still their "first choice." Most rushees remained tight-lipped about the event, and one freshman said the brothers told them not to speak to anyone about the situation. And Wharton freshman Andrew Brown, still wavering between several fraternities, said the incident affected his pledging decision "not one way or the other."