Over the weekend, Kappa Sigma International concurred with U administrators and yanked Kappa Sigma’s charter. The decision is harsh, but warranted.

In the past, punishments levied against wayward greek chapters have not been so harsh. Yet problems along the lines of Kappa Sigma’s January party that resulted in 52 alcohol citations, have persisted within the greek community. And although house residents come and go in a matter of several years, the frustration of neighbors and the U administration has had much longer to build.

In the summer of 2000, members of Sigma Chi dropped a sofa on the head of a mailman from the balcony of their house.

Sigma Chi faced 100 community service hours and also had to remodel its balcony. However, no sanctions were brought against Sigma Chi.

Prior to Kappa Sigma International’s to revoke the charter, its Utah chapter faced the somewhat brighter fate of probation. Along with the probation, the Greek Judiciary Council, ordered Kappa Sigma to pay a fine, stop all social events and go dry. The fraternity could still participate in recruitment and philanthropy.

Decisive action on the part of the national organization and the first loss of charter of the U house will not prevent all future problems along Greek Row.

However, the loss of Kappa Sigma’s charter will hopefully serve as a warning against illegal partying and other infractions, including furniture dropping

According to Reed Sutton, president of Kappa Sigma, six or seven years of history, not the simply a single party, prompted the decision. This history of disobedience extends back further than most of its current residents have been around.

This is indicative of an organizational culture that puts all of Greek Row at risk through its shenanigans.

Politics may have played a part in the decision, as Sutton suggests. But regardless, Kappa Sigma’s party reflects badly on all of Greek Row and its demise will probably appease neighbors and administrators.