Members of an Elmhurst College sorority tossed away hundreds of copies of the student newspaper and face possible disciplinary action, campus officials said Thursday.
Desiree Chen, a college spokeswoman, said about five members of Rho Theta, the local chapter of the Phi Mu fraternity, threw the newspapers away after a story appeared Tuesday about an investigation by the group’s national organization into a report of alleged hazing at the chapter. The investigation concluded that hazing did not occur, said a representative of the national organization.
“The story reported that there was no hazing, but I guess they were still upset about it,” Chen said.
About 800 copies of the newspaper, The Leader, which distributes about 1,500 copies every two weeks, were thrown into trash cans and compost bins on campus.
Zachary Bishop, editor-in-chief, said Thursday that the disappearance of the newspapers was discovered when a graphics editor on the 25-person staff told others during a meeting Tuesday that she had seen students throwing out the papers. Other students also said they had witnessed the papers being tossed.
“Once they saw the headline, I guess they started throwing them away,” Bishop said. “I guess they didn’t read the story.”
He said the action was a blow to his rights and those of other students.
“It seems like they were trying to censor us, and they infringed on our First Amendment right of freedom of the press,” he said.
He said it also bothers him that the students apparently did not respect the effort it takes to publish the newspaper.
“It was saddening to see our work tossed out just because a couple of people didn’t like what we wrote,” he said.
The Leader’s story about the alleged hazing printed the text of an email sent by the chapter’s president warning other members not to discuss the alleged hazing with anyone else on campus.
Jackie Isaacson, a representative of the Phi Mu national organization, confirmed Thursday that an investigation of a report of hazing was conducted and the report was unfounded.
Isaacson said the sorority is now conducting an internal investigation of the disappearance of the newspapers and is cooperating with the college. It also is sending a representative to the campus to look into the matter.
“Phi Mu Fraternity does not condone this behavior. I will be working with other fraternity officials to conduct a thorough investigation. Any members found to be in violation of Phi Mu policies will be held accountable and face internal disciplinary procedures,” said Hara Henshell, director of member services, in a news release.
TinaMarie Mirabelli, president of Rho Theta, declined by email to discuss the matter. She referred questions to the national organization.
Chen said the students who tossed the papers violated the student code regarding theft of college property.
“Student affairs immediately let them know how serious this is,” Chen said.
Chen said the national sorority has already agreed to reimburse the newspaper about $1,000 for the cost of republishing and redistributing the paper. She said the college is working with Phi Mu to determine if sanctions will be faced by the entire 72-member chapter or individual students. Sanctions could include probation, having to complete an educational assignment about First Amendment rights or bringing programs to campus that promote free speech or the First Amendment.
Ron Wiginton, faculty adviser to the newspaper, said he believes disciplinary action is warranted.
“It would seem to be appropriate. After all, it was theft or thievery,” he said.
Chen said the theft was not reported to local police.
She applauded the staff of the newspaper for taking a stand against the infringement of their rights.
“This was an attack on their First Amendment rights. They were right to protest it,” she said.
