Posted on 01/23/2015 10:28:51 PM PST by grundle
Students from the University of Michigan, including members from six fraternities and sororities, are accused of causing thousands of dollars' worth of damages during a weekend stay at two northern Michigan ski resorts.
The students, which included members of the Sigma Alpha Mu, Pi Kappa Alpha and Chi Psi fraternities, as well as members of the Sigma Delta Tau, Alpha Phi and Delta Gamma sororities, are being accused by resort operators of trashing hotel rooms and hallways, including ripping off cabinet doors, destroying ceilings and rugs, and busting up tables, during a Jan. 17-18 weekend stay at the Treetops Resort and Spa in Gaylord, and the Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs.
University of Michigan spokesman Rick Fitzgerald confirmed to ABC News the fraternities and sororities who are accused of being involved, saying in a statement, "We are very disappointed in the behavior of some of our students during a weekend visit to two northern Michigan ski resorts. I want to assure you that the organizations and the individuals involved will be held accountable for their actions."
"While we are still gathering information, we understand that the damage at Treetops Resort and Boyne Highlands is expected to total in the thousands of dollars," the statement continued.
The Treetops Resort gave ABC News exclusive photos of the trashed hotel rooms and hallways, which the resort claims totaled in $75,000 worth of damages.
Treetops general manager Barry Owens described the vandalism as “a malicious destruction of property,” adding that upon inspection, “The rooms were incredibly dirty, broken windows, broken furniture, ceiling tiles torn out of hallways, wall sconces broken off, doors kicked in.
“I mean it just kind of never ended,” he said.
Although the Treetops Resort touts itself as a family destination, Owens said college students and fraternity groups do visit, but there had never been any prior issues.
“I’ve been in this business for almost 30 years and I’ve never seen something even close to this,” Owens said. “We do cater to them [college students] but this one got completely out of hand.”
The Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, which is now facing suspension from its national chapter over this incident, issued a statement to ABC News, saying, “We are embarrassed and ashamed of the behavior of a few of our chapter members at Treetops Resort over the weekend of January 17-18. This behavior is inconsistent with the values, policies, and practices of this organization. Our chapter accepts full responsibility for this incident and we will be working with the management of the resort to pay for all damages and cleaning costs. We will work within our own organization and with university officials to hold those who are responsible accountable for their actions.”
Despite the fraternity’s apology, Owens voiced his concerns. “They said they were going to make good on this, however they also said they would behave themselves… we have concerns about the integrity of their word.”
“YOU’RE FINISHED AT FREEPER MISTER! “
I guess you know what that means?
ROAD TRIP!!!!
Americas gross apathy has serious costs..
School admins have the morality of pigs themselves..
Top down anarchy.. and Obama is just punishment..
I agree!
Agreed.
Most college students are responsible, well-behaved and law-abiding young adults.
Young people who destroy others’ property should be held civilly and if necessary, criminally liable and expelled from their school.
We don’t want resort owners to see this as a reflection on all young people but this is simply is not acceptable behavior. This is not fraternity “fun.” This is willful, malicious and criminal destruction of property.
Not to mention the fact it inconveniences others who visit ski towns.
If you’re like Anthony Melchiorri, you understand that this imposes a major burden on a hotel. Just a few bad reviews can sink a seasonal business like this.
But he deals with people who have no experience in the hospitality industry business and are often in over their heads. This on the other hand, is all customer damage. Now, hotels do anticipate a certain amount of normal wear and in their business but wanton destruction of property is something they aren’t prepared for.
In this case, the damage goes well beyond have to renovate the place. It means they have to be closed, lay off staff that work and they loose bookings that bring in revenue. I’d double or even triple the loss estimate. The hotel has insurance but it won’t cover everything.
And if the hotel has to deny young people rental privileges, those young people will have to thank young punks who should have known better. Its a sad situation all around and no one really wins.
Now it looks like a frat house.
They thought it was their frat house.
Respect for private property is a given. What values have their parents taught them?
Youthful folly is an understatement here.
Look on the bright side....lots of employment to fix this...lower unemployment...pass the wealth around...they are good boys trying to help their fellow man...isn’t that perfectly clear?
I’m sure there was no underage drinking either.
“Why were the cops not called as it was occurring?”
Of we don’t know how the place is set up, but it looks like a normal hotel. I don’t see how you can do that much damage without making an awful lot of noise, so I too don’t understand why this wasn’t stopped while it was in progress.
I mean, what did they do, just gleefully start trashing the place? It looks like there was a major brawl. Nobody got hurt? Nobody got arrested? They just all checked out and went home and this was only discovered later?
Almost 60 years ago, my family would stay overnight in Gaylord. The motel was a log cabin, if I recall correctly. It was a great place to stay! We vacationed at Glen Lake every Summer.
“You Frat House guys are under double secret probation.”
The entitlement generation. Can’t wait until one of them runs for office.
Every last One should be in jail.
They were.....
They say police had to escort the students out after they wreaked havoc in these rooms and hallways.
While I'm familiar with the Highlands, I don't know which law enforcement agency responded, either Harbor Springs, the county sheriff or maybe even the State Police.......According to their website, Harbor Springs only has 5 full time officers so the responders were most likely the sheriff or state police.
Considering it was at night, there's also the question of how long it took for the cops to respond. The Highlands are out in the boonies
Do you suppose the media lionizing the Ferguson-related looters had anything to do with their choice to trash the hotel? Did the think that they, too, would get away with it?
I would not hold the fraternities liable but the individuals. The hotel has their names and addresses. Send them a bill and if not paid quickly file criminal and civil actions.
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