I’m writing to you because a great injustice here on campus has come to my attention, and I think everyone at Simpson College should know about it. I don’t pretend to know all the facts of the situation, but this is what I have come to understand. Despite the efforts of SAE to keep quiet the fact that an underage girl was hospitalized after consuming large amounts of alcohol at the SAE house, it has gotten out.

Now, I realize that the men of SAE had little control over what happened, but I know they have control over what happens next. … I would just like to point out that last year at this very same time, another girl ended up in the hospital for alcohol poisoning. This girl merely said she had been at the frats. This led to an investigation that landed ATO with a semester-long probation, and it went into effect immediately.

This underage girl was picked up from the SAE house, and still nothing has been done to punish them. I’m not trying to attack the SAE house, but when is this college going to make them take some responsibility?

I’m tired of hearing that ATO is full of drunks and rapists, and I’m tired of seeing them being the only fraternity punished for misconduct. Any girl that has spent time in that house would be able to say that the men of ATO are some of the best guys on campus. It’s not fair to them to keep holding the negative image they have been given over time. It’s simply not true and is ridiculous.

Basically, I would just like to see the men of SAE own up and take some responsibility, and Simpson College should be making them do it. Where were the true gentlemen when a 16-year-old walked in their door?

Sincerely,

Nicki Van Hoever

Simpson College

Junior