UNM has suspended the Sigma Chi fraternity through the fall semester for its role in taping a swastika to the roof of a black student’s car that was illegally parked in the fraternity’s lot.
Dean of Students Randy Boeglin said Sigma Chi must formulate an anger management and diversity plan for its members, and bear its share of the responsibility for the damage to UNM student Candace Majedi’s car.
Sigma Chi fraternity officials could not be reached for comment.
Majedi, a 19-year-old black engineering student, returned from class Dec. 6 to find the swastika on the roof of her car, a threatening note on the windshield, gum jammed into the door lock and duct tape over her windshield.
Dennis Montoya, Majedi’s attorney, said he is outraged by the University’s decision.
He said Majedi agreed to drop her discrimination lawsuit against UNM earlier this year if the University promised to take swift, appropriate action and act in good faith with Majedi and her attorney.
“We consider this a breach of our agreement, and I am extremely upset that the University did not even have the decency to give us advanced notice of what sanction would be imposed, much less allow us to have a say in the decision that was made,” Montoya said. “We consider this less than a slap on the wrist and cannot believe that this is what the University considers appropriate action.”
He said that he is so upset by the University’s actions that he recommends Majedi refile her lawsuit against UNM.
“I am royally pissed off and think that a jury of New Mexicans should decide what action is fair and appropriate since the University of New Mexico clearly could not handle that role,” Montoya said.
Under the University’s sanctions, Sigma Chi may function as a landlord on matters related to housing for its live-in members, but must name a live-in adviser, formalize a training program for house managers and work closely with the University’s Greek affairs office during the suspension.
The chapter also must draft a proposal for reinstatement, and if it is reinstated, it will be on conduct probation.
The University ruled that the fraternity had violated four provisions of the UNM Code of Conduct, including actions that have the potential to harm others, interfering with someone’s freedom of expression or movement and disrupting the rights of others to pursue their education.
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The fraternity has the right to appeal the probation to Eliseo Torres, vice president for student affairs.
“This decision was made after a lengthy process,” Boeglin said. “There was an investigative period that lasted well into February, a hearing stage, and consideration of a decision. This ruling means that the group cannot function as a chartered student organization and essentially cannot function as a social organization. They cannot recruit students.”
He added that the University disciplinary process is geared toward helping those who have violated rules, not retribution.
“The philosophy for students and student organizations are largely the same in that we want to hold the individuals involved accountable, but we also want the experience to be an educational one,” Boeglin said. “We believe every student and organization can make mistakes but must be held accountable. We believe that everyone can change and grow and be different and better. Our decision reflects that philosophy.”
Montoya disagreed with Boeglin and said the decision fosters an environment that empowers human rights and civil rights violations.
“We were invited to attend the disciplinary hearing at the Dean of Students’ office, but when we requested to have some information about what the University proposed to do in order to offer some feedback before the decision was released, we were told in words to the effect of ‘We’ll get back to you,’” Montoya said. “This is a clear slap in the face to Ms. Majedi, and I feel it is a slap in face to the entire UNM community.”
