Daily Staff Reporters
Every member of the University chapter of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity will be interviewed by a panel of the organization's alumni as part of an investigation into the alleged rape of a woman in the fraternity house early Friday morning, Feb. 28.
"We really want to get to the bottom of this," said Steve Tetrevski, president of the University chapter of Beta Theta Pi. "We are going to find out where every brother was at that time."
"There is so little information at this point in time, that I can't say anything," Tetrevski said. "Everything is third- and fourth-hand information. We are cooperating with our nationals, alumni, Interfraternity Council and the University."
Erv Johnson, director of communications for the fraternity's national chapter, said they have just begun the investigation into the incident, and so far they have not found any "substantial evidence."
"It has no basis," Johnson said.
Ann Arbor Police Department Sergeant Larry Jerue said AAPD is currently handling the case, but the alleged victim has opted against pressing charges.
"The victim did not want criminal prosecution," Jerue said.
Jerue was not able to say if the alleged rapist is a member of the fraternity.
"The fraternity has not done anything wrong," Jerue said.
Beta Theta Pi members say they are also unsure if the alleged rapist is a member of their fraternity.
IFC Vice President for Educational Programming Jeff Kosiorek said he is uncertain of the investigation's status.
"I don't know where Beta's investigation is at right now," Kosiorek said. "At this point, they are not certain if it was a member of the fraternity."
Tetrevski said the fraternity "is just looking for information right now. We can't speculate if it's even a brother."
There have been reports that alcohol was involved and the alleged rapist is an acquaintance of the woman, Jerue said.
The investigative committee will cooperate with Judicial Adviser Mary Lou Antieau, who oversees the implementation of the Code of Student Conduct.
Antieau said that if the alleged rapist is identified, he could be tried under the code if a member of the University community charges him with rape. She said if he is found guilty under the Code, there are a variety of possible punishments.
"For any act of violence, suspension or expulsion is possible," Antieau said
Joyce Wright, interim director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center said that fraternities at the University do not have a higher-than-average rate of rapes compared to the overall reports of rape to SAPAC.
"There is no increase in those taking place in a fraternity house or at fraternity parties than at any other place," Wright said.
Wright said that although she could not comment on this particular incident, the majority of acquaintance rapes go unreported.
"The victims are concerned about their privacy and how other people will react to them," Wright said. "There is the fear of the perpetrator retaliating or the attacking of the victim."
Wright said more students report rapes to SAPAC than to police because they fear publicity.
"Some of the students here are very concerned about their families finding out," Wright said. "We can provide complete confidentiality."
Many fraternities work with SAPAC to educate members on dating and sexual assault, as well as domestic violence.
"We encourage the individual fraternities to invite SAPAC to their houses and make presentations," Kosiorek said. "Lots of houses participate, but it is not required. We see it as one of our major issues that should be hit upon and should be addressed in any community."
IFC President Ken Tanner, a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, has chosen not to participate in the investigation of the allegations.
"I am not planning on handling the case for IFC, to ensure it is handled impartially," Tanner said.