Resorts: Damage by U-M frats, sororities nears $125K

The two ski resorts that have accused six University of Michigan fraternities and sororities of vandalizing dozens of rooms nearly two weeks ago now say damage estimates are nearly $125,000.

Treetops Resort manager Barry Owens said Tuesday the damage estimates approach $100,000. And Erin Ernst, spokeswoman for Boyne Highlands, said that resort sustained at least $25,000 in damage and that figure might continue to climb as more quotes for repair and replacement are completed.

Ernst said the students will be held responsible for loss of revenue for the units while repairs are taking place.

Ernst said the resort has filed a report with the Michigan State Police and legal action might be pursued.

The U-M fraternities and sororities have been suspended by their national offices and a criminal investigation is under way by State Police.

"We would very much like to be able to press charges," Owens said.

The Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity was the first to be suspended last week and the remaining five were suspended over the weekend.

Sigma Delta Tau sorority, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Alpha Phi sorority, Chi Psi fraternity and the Delta Gamma sorority were also suspended after being accused of causing damage at the Treetops Resort and condominiums at Boyne Highlands near Harbor Springs.

"This gives the university time to sort out additional details that are necessary before placing additional sanctions on the organizations or individuals involved," the university said in a statement. "The executive boards of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association on the Ann Arbor campus have initiated their own reviews of this situation that could lead to sanctions against the fraternity and sorority chapters."

Owens said more than 120 fraternity and sorority members damaged 45 rooms, causing significant damage to ceiling tiles in the hallway, broken furniture, broken windows.

Boyne Highlands officials said between 100 and 120 students stayed in multi-bedroom cottages and townhouse units. The students caused varying degrees of damage to 12 individual condo units, ranging from holes in drywall, to soiled carpeting and upholstery and broken furniture.

Owens said the students were escorted from the premises by the State Police.

An open letter of apology was posted on the Central Student Government's website over the weekend, which called the incident "an act of shocking disrespect."

"The fraternity has said they plan on taking care and reimbursing us for all of our losses and everything else," Owens said. "They've apologized to the resort here directly and that's a good start. We talked to the university and they said they plan on doing things and pursuing things and holding people accountable."

The letter was penned by Student Body President Bobby Dishell, Interfraternity Council President Alex Krupiak and Panhellenic Association President Maddy Walsh.

"We, as leaders and Greeks at the University of Michigan, do not tolerate these kinds of acts, nor do we let such behavior fall under the radar," the letter states. "We intend to handle this situation with the utmost efficiency and we will ensure that those responsible for the damage to the properties will be held accountable throughout this process."

They said they are "deeply sorry" that the "misbehavior of a few individuals has caused harm not only to the property, but to the communities at large."

"The events that occurred last weekend deface the honor we place upon each of these values and we would like to express our regret that such unprincipled action reflects so poorly on our community," the student leaders wrote.

Dishell, Krupiak and Walsh promised swift action in the coming weeks from the Greek community to "enforce accountability and justice."

"We will work to restore the good balance of our affiliates, and we will be looking for ways to begin repairing our relationship and trust with each resort as well as the communities in northern Michigan," the trio stated. "Our long-term, positive interaction continues to be a priority for us moving forward, and we hope to make the changes necessary in order to fulfill that goal."

Contact Katrease Stafford: kstafford@freepress.com or 313-223-4759. Follow her on Twitter @KatreaseS_Freep.