Univ. of Vermont fraternity suspended over "offensive, inappropriate" survey about rape

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house at the University of Vermont in Burlington

/ WCAX

(CBS/WCAX/AP) BURLINGTON, Vt. - A University of Vermont fraternity has been suspended in connection with a survey that makes light of rape, school officials said.

Annie Stevens, UVM's associate vice president for student and campus life, called the survey "incredibly offensive and inappropriate," saying it asks participants if they could rape someone, who would it be.

Sigma Phi Epsilon has been suspended temporarily during the investigation.

The school is investigating where the survey came from, who saw it and how it was used, officials said.

A student reported the survey to UVM officials, who notified police.

Sigma Phi Epsilon was already on social probation for alcohol violations, according to CBS affiliate WCAX. The station reported that the fraternity's survey starts with typical questions: name, major, favorite memories.

But, the final question drew the eye of the UVM administration. It reads: "If I could rape someone, who would it be?"

Student blogs claim a new member of Sigma Phi Epsilon accidentally emailed the survey - rather than his assignment - to a teaching assistant. One blog also alleges a fraternity brother has been accused of rape.

So-called "Greek life" encompasses about 8 percent of students at the northern Vermont campus.

Members of the Burlington fraternity would not comment on the allegations, said Justin Adelman, vice president of recruitment. The national chapter of the fraternity located in Virginia has been notified of the allegations.

A Burlington feminist organization FED UP Vermont and other groups on the UVM campus posted an online petition seeking to shut down the fraternity and planned a press conference to speak out against "rape culture and sexism" on Thursday at noon on the steps of the UVM library.

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by pak31 December 15, 2011 9:08 AM EST: The parents that sent these particular students of theirs off to this school must be so proud of their children.; Reply to this comment

by Mike30326 December 15, 2011 1:59 AM EST

Doesn't surprise me one iota. I was a member of a fraternity (briefly) at a large southern university in the early 1980's. Those dip-shyts felt entitled and privileged. I was from a upper class family so I was welcome, but that yuppie "Caddy Shack" life was not for me. Moved to a cheap apartment and lived off tuna fish & macaroni and cheese for 3 years.

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by Mike30326 December 15, 2011 2:05 AM EST: Oh yes...and I dated a very wonderful black woman while I was there. That had them spinning!


by Mike_in_USA December 14, 2011 9:51 PM EST: So what is the problem? They didn't say a person was smoking a cigarett while doing this!; Reply to this comment


by ItsWinston December 14, 2011 8:01 PM EST: Way to go frat boys, way to represent yourselves. Absolutely ignorant.; Reply to this comment

by myth1958 December 14, 2011 5:28 PM EST

As a resident of Vermont I am highly offended by the attitude of this frat house and their misogynistic survey casting such a poor light upon our largest university. These 'frat boys' don't know how disgusting their words - and sick intent - are to the rest of us. Their charter ought to be suspended for a year, minimum, while their members undergo required counseling about violence against women. Perhaps locking them up in a jail cell with guys who rape men would give them a sense of how horrible rape is.

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by pak31 December 15, 2011 9:09 AM EST: I like that idea myth, locked up with those men would be a real eye opener.


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