College OTR: The Greeks Are Burning in Madison

The Greeks Are Burning in Madison

Posted by The Astute Fem 05/13/2008 12:19 PM
Category: Tags: University of Wisconsin, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Homeless Students

JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo

More than two dozen Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers are homeless because of a huge fire at their Langdon Street residence last night. The blaze was so intense that three firefighters were injured battling the flames.

No news yet on the cause of the fire, but I have a strong feeling there will be foul play in the mix.

This is the second time this particular frat house has suffered a fire and the estimated cost of the damages is about $750,000. I hope the boys have collected enough dues to cover that chunk of change.

A slightly disturbing fact, the Sigma Phi Epsilon organization is keeping tabs on the progress of the fire's investigation. The nation site says, "The National Fraternity will be working with the university and local volunteers as the situation unfolds."

Is it really that serious?

The frat house burned down, and now the members have been provided housing....What other support do they need as "the situation unfolds?" By the way, karma's a b****, these are the same SigEps that threw feces and urine on their pledges.

**Shrugs** This deserves a "whateva" (that's right the ghetto one without the "er")

+ 22 comments

Anonymous says,

you are extremely and utterly insensitive. imagine losing everything you own, let alone in the middle of finals week. those guys are absolutely amazing and do not deserve any of this. you need to get your facts straight on the "hazing" incident and grow a conscience. Posted 05/13/2008 12:50 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Guys, we are talking about a bucket of piss and shit here. Let's not make this a bigger deal than it is. Posted 05/13/2008 12:59 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Nothing was thrown on pledges, the bucket in question was thrown on seniors BY the pledges. Your spin looks stupid. Posted 05/13/2008 1:26 PMReply

Anonymous says,

wtf, stupid ****.
of COURSE nationals will keep tabs. you expect them to abandon their own members?
i have lost respect for this blog as of this post. Posted 05/13/2008 3:40 PMReply

Anonymous says,

This is quite possibly, the dumbest, rudest, most ill informed piece I have ever read in my life. It shows a complete lack of understanding about the hazing incident in question, the Greek system, and is completely insensitive to those who were harmed in this. The incident has been blown way out of proportion. Of course the nationals is going to follow the investigation and help the fraternity rebuild. A fraternity house is more than just housing for a few people.
-Steven Lawrence
www.somethingverbose.blogspot.com

P.S. It is incredibly cowardly to sit behind an anonymous fake name as you throw firebombs like this. At least own up to what you write. Posted 05/13/2008 4:06 PMReply

Anonymous says,

You are a bad person. "The frat house burned down, and now the members have been provided housing....What other support do they need as "the situation unfolds?" By the way, karma's a b****, these are the same SigEps that threw feces and urine on their pledges."

Provided housing by friends, so now they can uncomfortably cram into apartments while trying to study for finals. They don't have their own clothes, school books, blankets, or anything else we take for granted everyday. They also need emotional support. This is their home. And, as stated before, their pledges were not hazed in the incident you mentioned, I'm pretty sure the facts on that have been out for quite awhile. It really wouldn't be hard to do the slightest bit of research for that.

Again, too bad you can't even identify yourself because your uneducated, ignorant words cannot be backed up. Maybe that's why you choose not to be identified. Unaccountability must be nice. Posted 05/13/2008 5:47 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Given the nature of many of the posts you write, you clearly have some sort of an unfounded hatred for the Greek system. I am not here to argue that all Greeks are good or don't say bad things about the Greeks or anything like that. But, you shouldn't write such hateful, insensitive, and moronic comments about one organization simply because you hate the broader category they fall under. Posted 05/13/2008 7:39 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Notice how not a single person writing here is supportive of the post you wrote. When are you going to realize that you are wrong for writing this and apologize? Posted 05/13/2008 7:40 PMReply

tallblonde says,

This is an incredibly insensitive post. I'm saying this as a fellow writer for OTR, one who has absolutely no qualms making fun of the average frat brother for nothing more than popping their collar and, in fact, takes every opportunity to do so. However, there is a huge difference between making fun of frat brothers for being a little slow in class on Friday because of an especially hefty binge on Thirsty Thursday and making fun of frat brothers for their house burning down in the middle of finals week. Yes, hazing is sh*t, but everyone knows what they're signing up for when they pledge a fraternity. I know you're "The Astute Fem," but it's completely unnecessary to express your political views in this way. Posted 05/13/2008 10:43 PMReply

Anonymous says,

The OP is a stupid ****ing **** Posted 05/13/2008 11:01 PMReply

Anonymous says,

C U N T Posted 05/13/2008 11:02 PMReply

blondie says,

I too found this post offensive. Karma? The implication that they deserved to have their house and possessions burned in a dangerous house fire is unfortunate to say the least. Posted 05/13/2008 11:16 PMReply

Eli Judge says,

Astute Fem,

Because this post is one of the more upsetting things I�ve seen in a long while, I felt the need to share some thoughts. Seeing as the previous comments have taken steps to systematically detract from your argument, I hope to expand on it from a more �on the ground� point of view.

�Is it really that serious?�

Yes. Not only did 28 people loose their home, but also Firefighters, public heroes of the highest order, were hurt in the blaze.

�No news yet on the cause of the fire, but I have a strong feeling there will be foul play in the mix.�

As the Critical Badger on the UW-Madison campus might say, �O RLY?�. Perhaps you have had a conversation with the Madison Fire Department that I have not.

�A slightly disturbing fact, the Sigma Phi Epsilon organization is keeping tabs on the progress of the fire's investigation. The nation[al] site says, �The National Fraternity will be working with the university and local volunteers as the situation unfolds.��

I would argue that it is somewhat convenient to have the owners of the damaged property working closely with local law enforcement and fire officials. If you have some information that MPD might find useful, I encourage you to contact Crime Stoppers (608-266-6014) and fill them in on whatever might have prompted this speculation.

�What other support do they need as �the situation unfolds?��

Textbooks, notes, prescription drugs, clothing, heat, food, water, transportation and, potentially, trauma counseling.

While I am rarely as angry as I am now (on blogs or otherwise), I feel no remorse or regret in politely asking you to refrain from mocking my constituents or celebrating the loss of their home. When you have seen their faces after they have lost all of their things (or after you have smelled their house after much of it has crumbled to the ground), I will consider retracting my request.

Sincerely,

Eli Judge
Junior, UW-Madison
Resident, 228 Langdon St. Apt 8
Alder, 8th District
Madison Common Council Posted 05/14/2008 12:31 AMReply

Anonymous says,

This is an insulting and inappropriate post. Remove this, now. Freedom of speech should not cover something as sick as this. Posted 05/14/2008 12:36 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Yes, it should, but under ethics, it shouldn't. Posted 05/14/2008 12:46 AMReply

Anonymous says,

"Freedom of speech should not cover something as sick as this."

Bitch, what the ****? Freedom of speech is freedom of speech. Goddamn, you guys sound like the Mohammed cartoon bitches. The girl has every right to write what she wants. If everyone hates her for it, well, it's her choice what she writes. Why don't people understand that social ostracism is just as powerful as legal means? Posted 05/14/2008 05:40 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Of course she has every right to say what she wants. And we have every right to attack her for it. Anytime you write or publish something in public, you immediately open yourself up to criticism. That is the beauty of freedom of speech in that others have the freedom to criticize you. Thus, while you might have the right to say something, you shouldn't say it without being willing to stand up to criticism of what you wrote. Hey Astute Fem, response? Posted 05/14/2008 05:47 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Did you get written permission from the Badger Herald for the first two photos, or did you just steal them without giving them photo credit? Posted 05/14/2008 09:01 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Wow - "Astute Fem" - What a great piece you've written. This is probably one of the most unintelligent things i've ever read. Congrats, you've succeeded in humiliating yourself as a journalist/commentator/blogger (or whatever else you think you aspire to become but will never be).

You actually are happy with the fact that 28 men lost everything they own - what does this say about your charecter? You are knocking them down for questionable actions - take a look in the mirror.

You suspect foul play? Let me guess - you probably base this off of rumors you've heard from people just like yourself. Would you have the nerve to read your article to one of the displaced men in person? I think not. Posted 05/14/2008 3:16 PMReply

The Astute Fem says,

To All of The Angry Comments Above:

I thank you for all of your feedback (whether it be positive of negative). I did not wish to offend anyone and I definitely did not want to seem insensitive to the SigEps who lost their living space in the blaze.

Greek life is a little foreign to me and I guess I approached the subject with a bit of ignorance, so I think some of the anger is valid. In subsequent posts, I will make sure to stick to the facts as much as possible.

Again, I do apologize if this post appeared insensitive or hurtful in any way. It was meant to put a light spin on a heavy news story, but I would say that I misjudged the approach. Thank you. Posted 05/15/2008 07:49 AMReply

Anonymous says,

This is Jeff Schorfheide, the Photo Editor for the Badger Herald. Neither I nor anyone else at the Badger Herald was contacted with a request for permission to use our photos. Normally it would be excusable as long as credit is given but taking into consideration the tone of this article, I do not want either my name or the Badger Herald's name attached to this article. Please remove the photos taken from our site without permission. Thank you.
-Jeff Schorfheide Posted 06/04/2008 09:35 AMReply

Anonymous says,

you ignorant slut. Posted 06/08/2008 12:20 PMReply