Three suspended students seek lawsuit against University

The University has suspended undergraduate chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., for five years after an October hazing incident.

The University, the state of Illinois and the National Pan-Hellenic Council have zero-tolerance policies against hazing.

“These violations are very serious and thus, require serious consequences,” Curkin wrote.

The sorority pleaded “not in violation” and members maintain that no hazing occurred from Oct. 3 through Oct. 7. The organization did not appeal the decision.

The hazing allegations arose from a potential prospect, Chantal Conley who said she was paddled, punched, pushed and threatened while participating in a non-sorority sanctioned gathering. Conley accused five members and five prospects of these actions.

Conley reported the incident to Linda Flowers, president of the sorority’s graduate chapter, who investigated the claim and found that no hazing had occurred.

In the letter, Curkin wrote that the graduate chapter was spared being suspended because of its cooperation with the investigation.

The 10 students who were identified as participating in the hazing were also subject to punishment under the Student Judicial Affairs office. In June, three of those students were given three-year suspensions from the University, effective this fall.

On Friday, those students former sorority presidents Tequeira Johnson, Nakia Collins and graduate chapter member Monet Williams filed a lawsuit against the University.

The students claimed their civil rights and constitutional rights under the first, fifth and fourteenth amendments were violated.

Carbondale lawyers, Richard Fedder and Richard Whitney are arguing the case not the American Civil Liberties Union, as reported in the Monday’s Daily Egyptian.

Also, the SIUC student chapter of the National Advancement for Colored People said Tuesday it is considering whether to begin a petition to allow the three students two of whom would graduate in May back in school as the lawsuit continues.

Reporter Andrea Zimmermann can be reached at [email protected]