DailyMississippian The
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
thedmonline.com
Vol. 100 No. 249
Sigma Nu Columns Society is more than ‘just a uniform’ violates university hazing policies BY HOUSTON BROCK jhbrock129@gmail.com
The Sigma Nu fraternity at the University of Mississippi is guilty of violating the university’s and fraternity’s hazing policies, as confirmed by the dean of students and the Sigma Nu national chapter. The violations occurred this past winter break, soon after the fraternity’s previous probation period ended. Associate Dean of Students Melinda Pullen Carlson declined to comment on what the sanctions consisted of until the appeals process is complete. Sigma Nu has until today to appeal the undisclosed sanctions that the university has placed on it. Executive director of Sigma Nu Brad Beacham confirmed that due to inappropriate pledge activities in late January, the chapter was investigated by both the university and the General Fraternity, also known as nationals. Over the past three weeks, they have worked together to compile as much information as they can on the situation. The chapter’s local alumni and General Fraternity presented their own plan of action to the university’s judicial council, which was ratified. Two more undisclosed sanctions were added to their punishment. Both the state and the university have strict hazing rules. The university hazing policy states that any students or organizations found guilty of hazing can face criminal prosecution and/or civil liability, and the state defines hazing as intentionally or recklessly engaging in any conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to another person. Breaking state hazing laws carries up to $2,000 in fines and up to six months in jail. The dean of students is still awaiting a Sigma Nu appeal and will reveal further information upon its decision. The fraternity is just off probation from a previous alcohol-related hazing violation that occurred in Spring 2012.
PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY BRAND SERVICES
Public policy leadership senior Marianna Breland being inducted into the Columns Society.
BY KELLS JOHNSON krjohns2@olemiss.edu
Aside from working the skybox at a football game or ushering at the freshman convocation, the University of Mississippi Columns Soci-
ety has a lot on its plate. The Columns Society is an organization composed of 12 men and 12 women who work as hosts and hostesses for the faculty, student body, alumni and prestige of the university. Ole Miss sanctioned this
elite organization four years ago for the 2008 presidential debate that was held on the campus. In order to be a member of this society, a student must display certain qualities or characteristics that promote
the university’s image and uphold its noble creed. “A resume doesn’t matter,” said Marianna Breland, public policy senior and president of the Columns Society. “We look at the heart when it comes to selecting our new members. Columns needs people who actually care about an individual’s first impression of the university — people who are passionate about Ole Miss.” Like a few other organizations, getting into the Columns Society is an extremely selective process. “Members of the Columns Society possess the talents of leadership, communication skills, humility and service,” said Ellison Brown, biochemistry senior and current Columns Society member. “The society is a powerful way to get involved on and off campus and could possibly open doors for networking.” Becoming a member of the Columns Society seems See COLUMNS, PAGE 4
Big attendance at Ford Center for “The Color Purple” BY Charles Hale Robinson charleshalerobinson@gmail.com
More than 800 people were in attendance at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Mississippi to take part in the third national tour of the Broadway musical “The Color Purple” on Sunday. “This is definitely one of the better-attended shows,” said Jonathan Whitmire, front-of-the-house manager of the Ford Center. “And it’s just a large show in general with the number of trucks, the set and the costumes. So it’s one of the bigger shows of the season for sure.” The musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” has been nominated for 11 Tony Awards and was based on both the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film directed by Steven Spielberg, which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards. On its third national tour, the group now has the opportunity to lower costs and play smaller venues such as Oxford, according to Michael Heitzler, merchandise manager of “The Color Purple.” “That’s part of the glory in making it small enough to go places like Oxford because
typically these audiences would never see a show this size or caliber,” Heitzler said. “So it’s been a blessing and quite a journey. We’ve played everywhere from the biggest markets in the country to the smallest towns in the country that you’ve never even heard of.” Heitzler said the quality of the performance has not been affected by downsizing. “I think that this particular production company has done a stellar job of maintaining the artistic integrity,” he said. “Therefore, the performers, in my personal opinion, are just as astounding as they were on Broadway or in the first national tour.” Nathan Ford, a sophomore musical theater major, said he was exposed to a story that he otherwise may not have been. “I actually hadn’t read the book, seen the movie or anything like that, so it was fun for me to see a musical (of which) I was learning the story as it went along,” he said. After performing a lead role in the Ole Miss production of “R.E.N.T.” this past fall, Ford said he was able to sit in the audience with a different perspective. “It’s amazing to see their ability to project the kind
PHOTOS COURTESY SCOTT SUCHMAN (THE COLOR PURPLE U.S. TOUR)
Photos from the production the third U.S. tour of “The Color Purple.” “The Color Purple” was performed at the Gertrude C. Ford Center on Sunday to a crowd of more than 800.
of energy it takes to fill up a room like the Ford Center,” he said. “And to know that I was up there attempting to do that — I just wonder what the audience saw, because I
know I wasn’t that good.” For information about future events at the Ford Center, call 662-915-2787 or send an email to fordcent@ olemiss.edu.