From: "Joe Klimek" 
To: "Jim Melvin - SunSoft Internet Applications" 
Subject: More Fraternal Food for Thought - Today's Boston.Com
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MIT fraternity loses dorm license over underage drinking charges




By Susannah Patton, Associated Press, 10/28/99




BOSTON -- An MIT fraternity accused of serving alcohol to an underage
Wellesley College student who had to be hospitalized lost its dormitory
license today.


The Boston Licensing Board, which voted to revoke the license, ruled that
residents of a Sigma Alpha Epsilon house in Boston have until Nov. 15 to
find new lodging.


"They have to be told they aren't children anymore," said Chairman Daniel
Pokaski. "I don't think they even have a clue."


The decision comes during a difficult week for MIT frats.


Another fraternity was temporarily closed Wednesday by Boston inspectors
because of building violations discovered during an inspection prompted by a
Halloween prank.


A Sigma Alpha Epsilon lawyer said the fraternity was disappointed with the
decision.


"We intend to solve all problems for the living group as a whole," said the
lawyer, Carl King.


When the incident with the Wellesley student occurred, the fraternity was
supposed to be alcohol-free because of a previous violation.


Following a party, fraternity members drove a group of first-year women back
to Wellesley College on Sept. 3 and dropped an intoxicated student off at
MetroWest Medical Center in Natick. The woman, who was not named, was
treated and later released.


Sigma Alpha Epsilon was suspended by MIT after the alleged drinking
incident, which means that members cannot take part in campus events,
although they can attend classes.


In a statement, MIT said it supported the licensing board's decision.


"Students must accept responsibility for their actions and must understand
that they will be held accountable -- by MIT and by the civil authorities,"
the statement said.


The university is holding separate proceedings that could lead to further
disciplinary action, including banning the fraternity from MIT, which is
across the Charles River in Cambridge.


On Wednesday, Phi Kappa Sigma brothers had to leave their Beacon Street
house after the city's Inspectional Services Department said a haunted house
labyrinth was constructed without a permit and was near highly flammable
chemicals.


The Phi Kappa Sigma house was inspected after a fraternity member's
classroom prank exploded and three students were injured.


Freshmen students living in the fraternities are guaranteed housing at MIT,
said Robert Sales, a university spokesman. Sales said other fraternities may
be asked to find rooms for older students.


Two years ago, the Licensing Board revoked the dorm license of Phi Gamma
Delta, where freshman pledge Scott Krueger, 18, drank himself into a coma.
He later died and the fraternity eventually disbanded.