Kappa Sigma fraternity has accepted penalties for an alcohol-related incident that violated Mississippi State University’s rush regulations. 
A member of Kappa Sigma fraternity said the incident occurred during a party hosted by the fraternity where potential new members were present. A student from another university was charged for possession of alcohol by a minor. 
The incident was a violation of the MSU student code of conduct, which prohibits any “student to unlawfully possess, consume or sell alcohol on campus.” The Interfraternity Council constitution also mandates alcohol to be “prohibited from … any informal recruitment events.”
The hearing and specific rulings for this incident were handled by Tabor Mullen, director of student conduct. Mullen did not provide further information on the nature of the violation.
MSU has imposed several sanctions on Kappa Sigma and the members of the fraternity. The national organization has not made a decision to place any restrictions on the chapter.
Thomas Bourgeois, dean of students, said MSU has placed disciplinary actions on both the organization as a whole and its individual members.  
“Both the individuals and organizations are subject to sanctions if they are found responsible for violations of our student code of conduct or the law. One does not exempt the other,” said Bourgeois. “All members will have to go through an educational training program regarding their violation of the rush rules. The chapter is placed on probation and is not allowed to have any social activities for one year.”
Kappa Sigma is also not allowed to participate in formal rush this week.  The chapter will still be allowed to induct new members after formal rush and will conduct spring rush as usual.
The fraternity was on probation in the fall of 2009 until spring 2010 because of another alcohol-related incident.  Its probation restricted social activities among members and required them to complete hours of community service and take an alcohol education class
Bill Kibler, vice president for student affairs, said, “Previous disciplinary actions against the chapter were considered in determining the sanctions in this case.”
MSU has recently increased the amount of educational programs required for Greek organizations and potential new members to reduce the number of alcohol-related and hazing incidents during recruitment. 
“MSU is very involved in educating both members and recruits in the policies regarding alcohol, hazing and other regulations pertaining to new member recruitment and other activities of Greek organizations,” Kibler said.
The Office of Greek Life has partnered with the Longest Student Health Center to increase students’ awareness of the dangers of hazing and alcohol abuse in recruitment.  Cedric Gatherings, advisor for the Interfraternity Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council, said last year the office started showing staff, fraternity leaders and new recruits a video that depicts a student who died because of alcohol poisoning on bid day.
Gatherings said, “(The video) really affected a lot of students, and I think it has deterred a lot of alcohol abuse.”
The collaboration has also begun educating leaders in the Greek organizations on the signs of alcohol poisoning and how to prevent it from happening. Last year there were no incidents of alcohol emergencies on bid day. 
The Office of Greek Life also hosts speakers and programs to encourage members of Greek organizations to become educated about and promote brotherhood and sisterhood by other means than hazing and alcohol abuse.