Kappa Sigma violates nuisance party ordinance

By Juana Summers

Published May 4, 2007

Columbia police have served a summons in relation to an April 22 gathering at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house.

Police arrived at the fraternity house at approximately 3 a.m. early Sunday morning, after responding to a call from the MU Police Department, Columbia police Capt. Steve Monticelli said.

"We saw that there was evidence of a large party," he said.

Monticelli said there were open containers around the fraternity house, as well as between 10 and 15 people lingering in the area.

"The case was assigned to the CAT team," Monticelli said. "Generally, what will happen is we will go out and contact one of the officials of the organization. In this case, that was the president. He was served a summons after that was looked at."

Columbia's nuisance party ordinance, passed unanimously by the Columbia City Council, defines nuisance parties as social gatherings of 10 or more people where any of certain activities, including underage drinking, fighting, littering and noise violations, occur.

Monticelli said no one was arrested at the time. He also said the department advised the Greek council and referred the incident to the Community Action Team.

In an earlier interview, Kappa Sigma fraternity President Chad Brueckner said on the night the incident occurred, he had been asleep since 8 p.m. and was unaware of an after party following activities for Kappa Sigma's alumni weekend.

"It was alumni weekend, so I know for a fact that there was no after-party," Brueckner said in the previous Maneater report.

Brueckner said then that instead of an after party, there was a "get-together" with some fraternity brothers and their close friends.

Brueckner was not available for further comment.

The incident at Kappa Sigma fraternity is still under investigation by the Office of Greek Life.

"I don't think we've ever had a nuisance before," said Janna Basler, assistant director for the Office of Greek Life. "All fraternities and sororities, whether they have a house or not, must follow all state, local and city codes. We will hold them accountable through our M Book."