Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 30, 1993 TAG: 9310070412
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
This week a resident of the Fairfax Street neighborhood told a committee of university and town officials about apparent initiation rituals and large, boisterous gatherings at two houses in the area.
The resident reported seeing several young men, arms behind their backs and wearing blindfolds, being escorted by others wearing Sigma Phi Epsilon sweat shirts.
The citizen aired the complaints at a meeting of the City/University Joint Commission on Public Affairs, but asked to be unnamed in news reports because of possible retaliation.
The complaint described ``anywhere from 20 to 50 guys there who are just out of control.'' The residents of the two rented houses are congregating and being ``very loud, obtrusive and obnoxious,'' the citizen said.
``I've known them to make really rude and crude comments to people,'' the neighbor said after Monday's meeting.
University officials say they are aware of problems but can do nothing about the individuals until they run afoul of the law or break university policy. Leah Payne, who coordinates Greek affairs for the dean of students' office, said the university believes some of the individuals are not students or are students at other schools.
Ken Bondurant, whose firm owns one of the two houses in question, attended the commission meeting. He said Tuesday he went to the house afterward and advised the residents to ``be a little more cognizant of the needs of the neighborhood.''
He also said he has no knowledge of any Sig Ep connection at the house his firm owns, but the neighbor who complained at the commission's Monday meeting reported seeing Sig Ep signs at both residences.
Police plan to increase patrols in the neighborhood, Butler said.
by CNB