Frat suspended for "Who would you rape?" survey

(CBS News) 

BURLINGTON, Vt. - The University of Vermont has suspended a fraternity after obtaining a questionnaire from the Greek house that asked members who they'd like to rape, CBS News affiliate WCAX-TV in Burlington reports.

The school is investigating and has notified police. Women's groups are pushing for the fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, to be permanently banned from campus.

The survey starts with typical questions: name, major, favorite memories. But the final question drew the eye of administrators: "If I could rape someone, who would it be?"

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Officials told The Associated Press that a student brought the survey to the university's attention last weekend. Administrators called the survey "highly offensive."

"That causes great concern to us about what's the purpose of that kind of question," said Annie Stevens, who oversees student and campus life, which includes Greek life, an option that suits about 8 percent of students on campus.

The fraternity was already on social probation for alcohol violations. Now both the school and national fraternity have told the brothers they must cease all operations.

"They can still live in the house, but no chapter activities can take place," Stevens said.

The national fraternity released a statement that reads in part: "Any behavior that demeans women is not tolerated by the fraternity."

Students living at the fraternity said they'd been instructed not to speak to reporters.

Students on campus said they're appalled.

"I am greatly offended by what they said," said freshman Meredith Knowles. "Someone very close to me was actually raped, and so it hits really close to home."

"The suspension is fairly just," said freshman Peter Schonning. "I mean, there is the First Amendment and all, but I think that's definitely going outside the lines."

"It should be just as bad as hazing; it's just as harmful," said junior Sonia David. "There are a lot of people who have experienced sexual violence, on campus and elsewhere, and it's just really disrespectful."

Women's groups on campus have already received nearly 1,000 signatures on a petition to get rid of the fraternity. They also plan to hold a rally Thursday.

[camelkev]

First amendment SPECIFICALLY protects offensive speech.
There is NO need to protect any other kind of speech. Let the world know when you find the right to never be offended in the constitution.
Could it possibly be that some frat boys were using the word RAPE in a cavalier and insensitive manner? *GASP* Frat boys? Insensitive???
oh the humanity.

[Dianna-Rene]

The very question, regardless of context, doesn't belong in a University environment, it doesn't belong in a penitentiary shower room; it 'doesn't' belong! It is either the stuff of clueless sophomoric idiocy, or worse, the stuff of sick, malevolent fantasy and premeditation. It has no place, period!

[Goofer-Buddy]

Frats rape woman by the scores every night. We need some change.

[readg821]

What's appalling is the attitude brought out by Goofer-Buddy....we do need a big change from "it's all in fun", or so what?. Even someone as ancient as moi avoided frat parties back in the 60's because of the "open season" on women. Those men should'nt be allowed to continue their living arrangement-obviously something is very wrong with their moral judgement and thinking process. Maybe some commuity service work to become aware of the danger to women by predetory males?

[mpwinsma]

First of all, let's be clear, I am not about to condone rape, an exceptionally horrid and violent crime against women. But I was once an insecure boy in a fraternity (many many many years ago) and the thought of rape in such an immature and unworldly mind was very similar to having sex with a girl, something every straight boy wanted to do but few were able to accomplish at that time.

The idea of "who would you like to rape" is a stupid and inexact phrasing of the question "who would you like to have sex with if only you were experienced and attractive enough in ANY way to have any naive girl allow you that beyond belief closeness to them?" The fantasy is impossibly elusive and the question just attempts to coincide with the fantasy

The current love of my life has been raped and she is still traumatized (decades later) by that fact. These boys, most certainly to me, were not considering actual rape, but at worst, sweaty, persistent pursuit of consensual sex. As almost everyone knows, rape is more a power trip and not anything remotely like the consensual sex these barely pubescent boys desired. These are really typical hungry boys fantasizing.

I thing fraternities have outlived their usefulness for the most part and maybe getting rid of the fraternity would be a good idea for many other reasons, but I really think that this stupid question is not one of them. Maybe extra hours in school, mostly classes in uses of the English language, with an emphasis on how to others read what you've written, would be more productive.

[lincoel]

I hope to God that you never have daughters with that attitude, because I would hope that MOST young men would never equate rape with sex. Even contemplating rape says that a man is not really a man. He's an animal.

[jewel70]

I dare you to show your comment to the love of your life who is still traumatized. How could you even connect the word rape with consensual sex. Rape is rape. These kids maybe immature, but they're not that stupid. They know darn well what the survey was asking.

[timbutler57]

In today's gangster-rap music, we hear people talk about people they would like to shoot and people they would like to beat-down all the time. How come nobody speaks-out against that?

[htexan]

First, people speak out against rap music all of the time. Second, what does rap music have to do with a white fraternity talking about raping women? Third, gangster-rap music? Gangster rap hasn't been hot since the mid 90's. I hope they throw the books at these kids or suspend them. Our society has no place for potential rapists. Whether it was taken out of context or not, there are certain things you do not play with.

[timbutler57]

Sure, that survey was offensive, but I certainly do NOT think that the fraternity should have been suspended. They still have a first amendment right to free speech. And if you do not like the survey, then you have a first amendment right to speak out against it. But the day we start punishing people and organizations for speech, offensive or not, that is the day we start to lose who we are as Americans.

[wildinaustin]

Americans serve the politicians, the police and the military. We are here to support their dreams and aspirations. It's too late, we've given all our freedoms away. They don't care now, have never cared and will never care about us or our perceived "freedoms".

[OhBabyPiglet]

First Amendment rights do not cover speech that explicitly incites violence or criminal activity.