SectionsMSU sorority closed by national headquarters
MSU brought charges before branch closing
Ashley Bath
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: News
"The entire process was very unfair," Hanson said. "We weren't ever allowed to present our side of the story."
Hanson said even though Tri-Sigma had a history of minor violations, the punishment just does not fit the crime.
Hanson and Hesser never denied the charges against their sorority, but they both believe their national headquarters simply gave up on them.
"Sigma is a business and they want to make money," Hesser said. "Money had a lot to do with it. It wasn't really worth it to them to defend us."
Neither of them are happy with the university either. Hesser said the chapter was not allowed to meet once the charges were brought against them so many of the members were confused.
Hesser also said the university sent out letters to their parents without their consent, interrogated Hanson and herself during finals week and posted their status on the Internet where anyone could see it. She feels like the university publicly made fools out of them.
Regardless, both do not regret any decision or action their chapter made. Hanson said any action was done for the betterment of the chapter sisterhood while Hesser believes the problem lies within the university's rules and definition of hazing and chapter events.
Hanson said none of the sorority's new members ever said they felt hazed.
"There are a lot worse things the university should be looking into than being blindfolded for 10 minutes," said Hesser.
Sigma Sigma Sigma may be gone for now, but the chapter might be brought back on campus in the future.
"It is always sad to lose a fraternity or sorority on our campus, especially when it has been here for so long," Williams said in a statement. "Our goal is to work with the national organization to offer the best sorority experience possible for our students and we hope that in four years, with a fresh start, we will be able to offer an experience to join Tri-Sigma again on our campus."
Hanson said even though Tri-Sigma had a history of minor violations, the punishment just does not fit the crime.
Hanson and Hesser never denied the charges against their sorority, but they both believe their national headquarters simply gave up on them.
"Sigma is a business and they want to make money," Hesser said. "Money had a lot to do with it. It wasn't really worth it to them to defend us."
Neither of them are happy with the university either. Hesser said the chapter was not allowed to meet once the charges were brought against them so many of the members were confused.
Hesser also said the university sent out letters to their parents without their consent, interrogated Hanson and herself during finals week and posted their status on the Internet where anyone could see it. She feels like the university publicly made fools out of them.
Regardless, both do not regret any decision or action their chapter made. Hanson said any action was done for the betterment of the chapter sisterhood while Hesser believes the problem lies within the university's rules and definition of hazing and chapter events.
Hanson said none of the sorority's new members ever said they felt hazed.
"There are a lot worse things the university should be looking into than being blindfolded for 10 minutes," said Hesser.
Sigma Sigma Sigma may be gone for now, but the chapter might be brought back on campus in the future.
"It is always sad to lose a fraternity or sorority on our campus, especially when it has been here for so long," Williams said in a statement. "Our goal is to work with the national organization to offer the best sorority experience possible for our students and we hope that in four years, with a fresh start, we will be able to offer an experience to join Tri-Sigma again on our campus."