University response frustrates fraternity
By: Scott Carroll
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: News
A week after they found swastikas spray-painted on the house they are looking to buy, members of the traditionally Jewish fraternity Zeta Beta Tau said they were frustrated with the lack of progress in the investigation by The University of Memphis and Police Services.
Although Police Services are working with the FBI and the Memphis Police Department to solve the crime, no leads have been found, said ZBT vice president Hunter Lang.
Lang also said no one from The U of M had contacted fraternity members since the incident.
"I kind of feel like its being stopped," said Lang. "They're letting it die down."
Cameron Watson, junior psychology major and brotherhood development director for ZBT, said he was also displeased with the investigation.
"Around campus I've had people walk up to me and apologize for what happened to the house, but nobody's doing anything about it," Watson said. "It's a lot of apologies and no action."
The Daily Helmsman could not reach Police Services, the FBI or MPD for comment by press time.
Lang said the vandalism is still an open wound for ZBT members.
"We don't want to pull the Jew card, but I think they're all still kind of upset about it," Lang said.
The slow progress of the investigation is just the latest in a long list of problems ZBT members have with The U of M administration, Lang said.
Members were frustrated that after two years of trying to purchase the house located at 3604 Midland, ZBT remains a fraternity with no home, he said.
Lang said The U of M had approved ZBT to move into the house as many as four times, but The University backed down on their decision each time.
"Three or four days before we were going to move in, they called and said we couldn't," said Lang, speaking of ZBT's attempt to move in to the house during the fall 2008 semester.
Several ZBT members cancelled dorm room reservations in anticipation of the move and were left scrambling to find housing after the change, Lang said.
Although Police Services are working with the FBI and the Memphis Police Department to solve the crime, no leads have been found, said ZBT vice president Hunter Lang.
Lang also said no one from The U of M had contacted fraternity members since the incident.
"I kind of feel like its being stopped," said Lang. "They're letting it die down."
Cameron Watson, junior psychology major and brotherhood development director for ZBT, said he was also displeased with the investigation.
"Around campus I've had people walk up to me and apologize for what happened to the house, but nobody's doing anything about it," Watson said. "It's a lot of apologies and no action."
The Daily Helmsman could not reach Police Services, the FBI or MPD for comment by press time.
Lang said the vandalism is still an open wound for ZBT members.
"We don't want to pull the Jew card, but I think they're all still kind of upset about it," Lang said.
The slow progress of the investigation is just the latest in a long list of problems ZBT members have with The U of M administration, Lang said.
Members were frustrated that after two years of trying to purchase the house located at 3604 Midland, ZBT remains a fraternity with no home, he said.
Lang said The U of M had approved ZBT to move into the house as many as four times, but The University backed down on their decision each time.
"Three or four days before we were going to move in, they called and said we couldn't," said Lang, speaking of ZBT's attempt to move in to the house during the fall 2008 semester.
Several ZBT members cancelled dorm room reservations in anticipation of the move and were left scrambling to find housing after the change, Lang said.