In the Colvard Student Union on March 16, members of Mississippi State University’s Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma fraternities were involved in a verbal altercation, resulting in the cancellation of Blue, White Week.
New members (Neos) of each fraternity challenged each other during a stroll off. Each organization recently introduced a new line during Neophyte week, a week in which newcomers come out into the community as being Greek (the week of March 2). 
President of Theta Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma and senior psychology major Jarrod Ward, said the incident took place because there are specific times when chants and strolling are not allowed without permission.
 “(There was)  an altercation this past Monday in the union where some of the Neos and older guys were approached while sitting in the union with the Zetas and were approached by the Ques,” Ward said. “The Ques set out some hops and said some things. Our guys responded with a Blue Phi call, which is not allowed inside public buildings on campus. (There is to be) no calls or strolling unless it’s a function or a probate or (if we have) permission to do so,” Ward said.
The Sigmas came out publically on their Instagram page (@MSUSIGMAS) apologizing for what happened. Ward also said the Sigmas are going to take this time to plan and strategize for the upcoming school year.
“We plan on using this time during the summer months to plan out all the fun,” Ward said. “We are going to sit down and plan out programs, events, parties we will host, leadership development we might have and community service.”
MSU’s director of Greek Life and Student Activities Jackie Mullen, said Greeks are allowed to stroll (to physically convey fraternity stepping) in a public building, but need prior approval.
“There is no rule that you can’t stroll. That is not a rule, but prior approval is needed first,” Mullen said.
President of Omega Psi Phi’s Theta Delta Delta Chapter Catrell Johnson, senior and biology pre-dental major from Jackson, Mississippi, said he was taken by surprise about what happened, and the chapter takes full responsibility. 
“The chapter takes full responsibility,” Johnson said. “It was just something that unfortunately happened and both chapters suffered the consequences.” 
“The Chapter apologizes to the campus. We are aware of what happened and it will never happen again in our chapter,” Johnson said.
The initial instigator of this altercation is still unknown. Both presidents of the fraternites said in separate interviews none of the new members were aware of this rule. 
As a result of the incident, both fraternities were fined, and the Sigmas were placed on social probation, meaning they are not allowed to participate in any programs, host any events, and their visibility week (Blue and White Week) has been canceled for the 2015 spring semester. 
MSU’s Dean of Students and National Pan-Hellenic Council offices declined to comment.
(Circulating rumors state both fraternities are having “beef” between one another). Johnson laid that rumor to rest and stated it is false. According to Johnson, what  happened has left no hard feelings between the two fraternities.