Home > News > Greek life back in office after vandalism
Greek life back in office after vandalism
BY AMANDA DANIELS
Contributions by LISA KUNKEL
STATESMAN STAFF WRITERS
iISSUE: 78/24
The Sign outside of the Greek Student Life
Office.
Greek life was let back into their Kirby office last week, after an act of vandalism had them kicked out. Greek life members, a conglomeration of all sororities and fraternities at UMD spend a great deal of time in their office in Kirby across from the Kirby Student Lounge. “It’s a place where Greek Life can gather and bring people who might be interested in, while lounging and studying,” said Joie Acheson, the adviser to the Greek Life organization on campus and the assistant director of Kirby Student Center.
An unknown individual vandalized the office by urinating in the office. The isolated act by this one individual left all of Greek Life punished and evicted from their office, according to Acheson. “This was an act by one person,” Acheson said. “The vast majority of people who use the office are leaders, full of integrity and are themselves disgusted by that isolated incident.” Some fellow Greek members don’t think that the act came from someone within the Greek system. “I don’t find it believable,” said freshman Greek life member Luke Holmberg. I figured anybody would come forward even if they didn’t do it.”
Sophomore member Annie Heggernes agreed. “I truly believe that no one in the Greek system would do anything like that,” she said. Heggernes mentioned that the “Greek vine,” which swears honesty and trust within members, would have been violated by the individual for not coming forward to anyone. Because Acheson is the person Greek Life signs their lease with she was informed about the issue after winter break, and then Greek life lost their privileges to the office. “I closed the office for more information and no one came forward to say they had done the vandalism,” Acheson said.
Being evicted from the office was a hard time for members. However, they were granted a temporary meeting area in the Kirby Game Room, according to Holmberg. Now, after a couple months of eviction from their office, the individual has still not come forward. Last Friday, the members were reminded of their lease agreement and Greek life was allowed back into their office, Acheson said. “It’s definitely more convenient,” said Holmberg. “We’re grateful for a second chance.” “The Kirby Student Center holds Greek Life in high esteem and understands this is a one person act of vandalism,” Acheson said.
