U-M Fraternity Members Accused Of Vandalism At Ski Resorts; Damage Around $50K
DOVER TWP., Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Officials at ski resorts in northern Michigan's say University of Michigan fraternity members were responsible for thousands of dollars in vandalism.
Police escorted students from Treetops Resort in Dover Township near Gaylord sometime last weekend. Resort general manager Barry Owens reports about $50,000 in damage to furniture, carpet, walls and ceilings.
The resort identified the vandals as members of Sigma Alpha Mu. The national fraternity's executive director Lee Manders declined comment.
Damage also was reported in condominiums at Boyne Highlands near Harbor Springs that officials say involved members of two other fraternities.
U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said the university is "deeply disappointed" with those groups involved.
"This is not the behavior we expect of our students, regardless of where they may be or what they may be doing," Fitzgerald told WWJ's Beth Fisher. "Our expectation is that these organizations and the individuals will certainly be held accountable for their actions."
Fitzgerald said the university expects the students to pay for all damages.
"I think there was, perhaps, at Treetops, more than 100 students were up there for the weekend," Fitzgerald said. "At this point, we're meeting with the students and the leaders of the Greek organizations on our campus, still trying to fully understand the involvement of the fraternities and sororities that may be involved."
An investigation is ongoing.
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