A Little Bird Told Me

This is a small screenshot of the survey Sig Ep was said to have sent out.

Unfortunately, this is the only piece of hard “evidence” we have.  There is said to be another question on the survey about having sex in public.

Neither the name of the student who sent the email, nor the name of the TA has been released.  In fact, the circumstances around this are really suspicious.  Let’s look at what happened.

1.) Sig Ep supposedly creates this survey.  No one is sure when exactly this happened.  The “Favorite Sig Ep Story” part at the beginning suggests that this is not a survey for new members, since they would not have a favorite story yet, not being members and all.  What is the purpose of this survey?

2.) For some reason, a nameless Sig Ep brother sends this document in an email (which nobody has seen) to a nameless TA.  Nobody has shared either of their names; almost nobody has seen this email at all.

Is it possible that the incriminating document was intentional, a disgruntled Sig Ep brother trying to shame his organization?  Or could it really be just an honest mistaken attachment?  Why would a regular Sig Ep brother have a computer document like this (most Sig Ep people who saw this would theoretically only see just the printed version) , and how could he accidentally send it in an email?  There are questions that must be answered.

3.) The TA probably alerted UVM about the document, or told his/her friends about it, who then told UVM.

4.) The story goes big, and UVM sends an email regarding the controversy.    Local and national news outlets jump on the story.  

Steps 1 and 2 just don’t seem right.  There’s too much of an information gap now to know for sure what really happened.

But until this important information comes in, we’ll stick with our current story: Sigma Phi  Epsilon offends many and endangers its own chapter by a horrible survey accidentally sent by a shortsighted frat brother.

If you have any tips, email us at theuvmlittlebird@gmail.com.

We do not know.  It may have just surfaced, or recently reached the right people.  When did you hear that it happened?  

A link to the Facebook group is provided below:

http://www.facebook.com/fedupvermont

According to FedUp Vermont and outspoken SGA member Aliza Lederer-Plaskett, a Phi Sigma Epsilon member accidentally sent a TA a fraternity survey; question #3 was “If I could rape someone, who would it be?”

Still largely unconfirmed, this incident has several people shouting for the dismantling of the VT chapter of the fraternity.  The fraternity brother who sent the email and he TA who received it are still unknown.

The UVM Feminists are sponsoring the petition below:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/end-rape-culture-now—-shut-down-sigma-phi-epsilon-vermont-gamma/

-Big Bird

EDIT:

Vice president of Student Life Thomas Gustafson, sent out this email at 4:15 PM:

The University of Vermont has received information regarding a survey allegedly created by and circulated among some members of the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon and possibly others as well.  The report indicated that the alleged survey contained language that is highly offensive and inappropriate.  Upon becoming aware of the allegations, Student Life staff conducted preliminary fact finding, reported the situation to the fraternity’s national headquarters, and notified law enforcement.  Sigma Phi Epsilon has been placed on interim suspension today as an investigation of legal and policy violations proceeds, the facts of the situation are uncovered, and an appropriate response can made in light of what is found.   If you have any information about this situation, please contact UVM Police Services at 656-3473, http://www.uvm.edu/~police/.

We have heard from numerous students, faculty, and staff who are understandably concerned about this situation. If you need support, please contact the Counseling Center 656-3350, the Women’s Center 656-7892, and/or The Employee Assistance Program 656-2100.    

We did some investigating.  This is what the Head Chef at Redstone Unlimited told us:

“The Redstone Food on Demand Menu Changes 3 times per semester. I know that some students have their favorite items on each menu, but the majority of the comment cards ask up to change the whole menu more often. The customers as a whole get tired of the menu quickly.”

We hope it answers your question!

-Big Bird

Excellent.  Thank you for the tip!

It really depends on the book.  

If it pertains to your major/minor, and you can see yourself using it in the future, and if it wasn’t too expensive, maybe you should keep it.  

The UVM Bookstore isn’t very generous with its payments, but it’s a reliable source to unload books that you couldn’t or wouldn’t bother selling otherwise.

If you have friends or know people who would need the book for next semester, go to them first.  It keeps the transaction between students and it’s simple.  You can also probably get more money than the Bookstore.  (Depending on the class/teacher, you may be able to sell your notes or old tests, too…)

Companies like Belltower Books are a special case.  If your friend is a Belltower representative, he/she will make some commission, which you can split, on buying back your books.  Belltower books claims that they come to you, which can be convenient, but their prices can be better, or worse, than the Bookstore.

You may consider selling your books on amazon.com.  For novels or small books, often amazon will start at $0.01 so there is not much money to be made.  Newer scientific books such as a Chemistry or Psychology book, can often sell for the highest price.

Whatever you do, decide whether you want to keep a book now.  If you hold onto your new edition of your biology book for a few years it will drastically decrease in price to the point where you may regret not selling it earlier, or not bother with the hassle of selling it for such a small amount of money.

Hope that helps!

BB

We’re looking into this, and we think this is what happened, in order:

The University of Vermont cancels funding for the Naked Bike Ride, citing safety and cost as principle problems.

Second, students gathered and agreed to hold the Naked Bike Ride on the Athletic campus loop and on the last day of classes, just like in previous years.    Students were okay with that; the administration was not.

Then, the University of Vermont decided to subvert the Naked Bike Ride by hosting a clothes-only event benefitting Irene victims.  An email was sent out, saying:

As you may know, the University is no longer supporting a “Naked Bike Ride” and is instead sponsoring Free Finals Food Fest & Fundraiser, which will be taking place on the Athletic Campus green on Wednesday from 11pm to 1am.  The event will be featuring free food from some of Burlington’s favorite food vendors, including Skinny Pancake, City Hall Sliders, Wicked Mountain Hot Dogs, and Amir’s Kebabs.  You are encouraged to also bring at least one canned food item to support the Hurricane Irene relief efforts through the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.  Please note that you will only be allowed admittance to the event if you are fully clothed and have your student ID with you.

This event is likely an event intended to draw students away from the hazards of the Naked Bike Ride for a safer alternative, one that UVM can feel comfortable endorsing.  (How much this free food alternative event will cost is unsure.  Maybe it costs more than the NBR’s security.)  The free food is a way of ensuring anyone on Athletic campus at this event will have to be clothed. 

Next, students decide, as a result of this free food event, to host the NBR on Central campus.  There is no university-sanctioned event happening there, so it’s fair game.  The route is then changed.

Some time during all of this, a little bird sent us the route on Central Campus to use for the NBR, which you can still find if you surf our tumblr.

BUT…..now, the Facebook event has Athletic Campus listed as its location, even though individual students are saying the opposite.

(See: http://www.facebook.com/events/140483962722171/)

There is currently a debate on the Facebook event as to where the NBR will be.

If you are still unsure by tomorrow night, try Central Campus.  As always, be careful.

Big Bird

EDIT: We asked Dale Osef, current Speaker of the SGA, the man who has been coordinating the “Green Caps” student safety initiative a few questions.  Below are the questions and his response:

 Our email:

Students are currently torn about where the Naked Bike Ride is supposed to be.  The Facebook event has listed Athletic Campus, but there is another event taking place there, and many students have switched to Central Campus.  There is even a Central Campus route created.  The Cynic reported that volunteers will be stationed on all 4 campuses.  Since you are in charge of this, we’ll leave it to you: 

Where is the Naked Bike Ride going to be?

What general safety advice can you provide to those running/biking?

What general safety advice can you provide to bystanders watching the event?

Osef’s response:

I am not in charge of a route or encouraging people to participate in the Naked Bike Ride whatsoever.  My goal is to keep students safe all over campus, no matter what they are doing.

Thank you,

Dale

The man coordinating volunteers, whose goal is to “keep students safe all over campus” could not offer any safety advice whatsoever?

We’re sure they will forgive you.