Security in DeMattias Hall came into question earlier this semester when it was found that several chapter rooms had items taken from them. Entertainment equipment, including a DVD player and stereo receiver, were reported missing.
What happened to the merchandise was originally unclear.
This was partially due to the constant traffic over the summer at the residence hall.
Despite the fact that DeMattias Hall did not house students over the summer, there were contractors working on smoke alarms and sprinkler systems that did occupy the building at various times.
There were also outside conferences held there throughout the summer.
“All chapters were asked to provide a detailed list of property missing,” said Housing Director Argyle Wade. “Four chapters responded but not all of them have provided the requested information.”
With the high amount of traffic nobody was able to pinpoint one group or person that could be responsible for the illicit actions. At one point, the Department of Public Safety considered the possibility of contractors having misplaced the various items throughout the building.
Since the fraternity leaders discovered merchandise missing, they have met with officials from the Department of Residence Life and DPS in order to come to some kind of agreement as to who is responsible for the lost items.
“There is no conclusive evidence that would allow us to determine how the items may have been removed,” Wade said.
On Monday, Sept. 17, Res Life held a meeting that all chapters were invited to attend; however, only members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity were present. Wade said that the University “will explore options to address concerns” as they are received. “The University does not insure individual chapter rooms,” he said.
Even though no insurance policies were taken out on the rooms, before the summer began, fraternities and sororities had a verbal agreement with University officials that rooms would be kept safe.
“We entrusted the chapter rooms to the school over the summer,” said Matt Stewart, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
The $800 cost of the Sig Ep merchandise that had been reported stolen-a DVD player, a VCR and stereo receiver-will be reimbursed. “We will be getting a check for what was taken,” said Jim Sarcone, “but not many other fraternities showed up to the meeting.”
Since the meeting on Monday, Residence Life has agreed to eventually place dead bolt locks on the rooms in order to assure more security.
The chapter rooms are used as a place for members of a fraternity or sorority to come and hang out or do homework.
They are also used for the organizations’ numerous rituals.
“The Department of Housing and Residence Life and the Department of Student Life will be working with the chapters to develop procedures for the chapter rooms that address issues such as responsibility for the space and summer storage,” Wade said.
