Those are definitely photos from the car smash put on last year by Alpha Sigma Phi and Sigma Kappa.

This is very misleading. These pictures are from an event hosted last year by two GVSU recognized organizations. Please check your facts before publishing..

these pictures are being used incorrectly. I think they need to be taken down. Clearly they are not from the Kappa Sigma car smash because none of these people were in attendance.

I would appreciate it if you would double check your sources before using photos of someone else’s work/fund-raising efforts in and article highlighting a different organization. The photo is from last years Alpha Sigma Phi and Sigma Kappa car smash benefiting different charities. Kappa Sigma smashed a white car this year.

these photos are being used incorrectly, they are of two different events, one in 2007 and one in 2009. Please check your sources.

I remember when I didnt bring a camera to an event and had to use other peoples pictures.

Kappa Sigma is not even recognized as a Greek organization on this campus. I am glad to see that you needed to use pictures from a true campus organization.

How can you write a story about a car smash that happened this past Thursday, yet use all the facts and pictures from a car smash that happened a year ago? You said they smashed a red Grand-Am? They smashed a white car… this story makes the Lanthorn look very unprofessional. I expect a level of professionalism and ethics from my college paper. I’m disappointed.

Kappa Sigma is not recognized by Grand Valley as a fraternity or even a student organization, they were turned down by IFC and GV. Next time possibly discuss with Kappa Sigma why they didn’t go through IFC rules, that might be a more interesting article. Although the photos were update with proper text they are still being used incorrectly, why don’t you just have a picture of a car and a sledgehammer instead of using misleading pictures that make it look like these people are in support of Kappa Sigma which is not recognized nationally

Dear Lanthorn,
On Monday December 10, 2010, the Lanthorn released an issue with an article titled ‘Kappa Sigma Smashes Stress.’ The direct use of the phrase, and we quote, “Grand Valley State chapter of Kappa Sigma” is inherently wrong in its representation of Grand Valley State University Fraternity and Sorority Life, as well as IFC recognized fraternities. The community organization in reference, in this respective article, is the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. The reason that the Interfraternity Council refers to the Kappa Sigma Fraternity as a community organization is because on two occasions the Kappa Sigma Fraternity was denied inclusion into our council. Kappa Sigma Fraternity was then stripped of organizational status by the Student Organization Review Board (Judicial Board of the RSO) due to failure of recognition by the Interfraternity Council. It was in the opinion of the Interfraternity Council that the requirements in the IFC Constitution were not met by Kappa Sigma, nor should be challenged or removed. The IFC takes offense to such a matter because the journalistic approach to this article was clearly not researched and has misinformed the GVSU community and put the Greek community in wrongful light.
This point is backed up by the quote which was used in the article which states, “… he said standing next to the Pontiac with ‘f—- exams’ written in spray paint on the side doors.” This is offensive towards the academic rigor of this university as well as the efforts put forth by our educators. The IFC condemns the use of such language as a representation of our organizations and would like to make the point that if an IFC recognized fraternity was to use such language, sanctions would be imposed by the IFC Judicial Board. IFC condemns the use of language by Kappa Sigma and any further use of such language if they are to ever be recognized by the IFC as a fraternity on GVSU’s campus.
Furthermore, a picture used by the Lanthorn where three women are standing on top of a car, is not from this event. The picture is from and event in which an IFC recognized fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi, hosted a car smash at Peppino’s with a different car and in the month of October of the year 2009. This IFC fraternity did not sponsor or recognize this event held by Kappa Sigma, and it is IFC’s belief that these women were not present. The IFC wishes that this photo be removed from publication as it is unclear to not only the IFC community as to its existence in this article, as well as, its misguidance of the general GVSU community.
This article was also misplaced within the Lanthorn, which misleads its readers. It is under the category of “Laker Life.” Because Kappa Sigma is not a SORB, IFC, and OSL recognized organization, the IFC wishes it be placed into a better area fit within the newspaper. The Interfraternity Council believes that this will better suit the Lanthorn as well as the community at large.
Though this car smash was for a good cause, and the IFC recognizes that, we feel as if this article should be removed from the website and that this response be published in the next paper form of the Lanthorn. Thank you for your time. Please continue to inform the GVSU community of what is going on around them, but please consult as many resources as possible to make sure that a blunder such as this does not occur ever again.
Sincerely,
Shawn D. Driggers
Interfraternity Council President

I’ve heard many times about the Lanthorn publishing incorrect information, so as Lanthorn staff, please take all of these comments as a reminder that this is not the first time incorrect information has been published, and every time stories like this come out, it degrades your reputation considerably.

Also, it is very important to the Greek community that organizations who have worked very hard to follow the guidelines set by the university, before and after their installation, not be associated with organizations which have intentionally disregarded those guidelines. Furthermore, those pictured, who worked very hard to get where they are and to provide support to their surrounding communities, need not be misrepresented in any arena.

Sounds like a cool event to raise money for a good cause. And those involved seemed to really enjoy it, especially coming during finals. Great stress relief for sure! I appreciate the Lanthorn covering the story, even if somewhere along the way someone uploaded the wrong photos. Anyway, get back to studying, students! But try to have a little fun, as well.

Personally, I feel like this article all of the incorrect photos was a setup. I understand that there are some issues with Kappa Sigma but let us not forget that we are all apart of a GVSU family (Greeks and Non-Greeks). In part it’s the journalist’s fault for incorrectly using her sources but also the person who took/should have okayed and picked out the photos (Rich Warner- part of Alpha Sigma Phi)

I also shake my head at you Mr. Driggers. Show some curiosity!!!

1) I feel like your position as president has gone to your head. Even though you have authority over the Greeks this doesn’t give you authority over other organizations such as the Lanthorn. To quote you.. “IFC wishes that this photo be removed from publication as it is unclear to not only the IFC community as to its existence in this article, as well as, its misguidance of the general GVSU community.” I would tone it down a notch. Yes this was misguided but remember we are reading the Lanthorn..not the New York Times. This is the fault of the journalist. She got her own OUTSIDE sources and maybe she didn’t know her facts, but most IMPORTANTLY, Kappa Sigma MEMBERS should not be blamed!!!

2) Wasn’t Kappa Sigma a founder father of the NIC?

3) To quote you also, “The IFC condemns the use of such language”… well, don’t they also condemn the use of alcohol? I clearly remember last years incident of the 200 MIPs dished out at an IFC chapter’s party along with other students….Guess what? We all make mistakes!!!! This article wasn’t Kappa Sigma’s fault. I understand that what their Nationals did was wrong, but let’s not forget they aren’t puppets and are told what to do. These gentlemen are trying to find ways to make things right. What ever happened to a slap on the wrist? I think what you are doing is pure discrimination.

4) The article also quoted what the car said, F*** exams. I don’t remember there being quotations around this being used from a member. It was just stated as from the car.

5) Also I didn’t know GREEKS had a special section in the lanthorn. I thought it was placed under Laker Life?…and this does include off-campus organizations…right?

6) Frankly if the IFC chooses to continue to act this way, why would anyone want to join this sort of “Bullying”. I think this is truly discrimination!!! This reflects more poorly upon the IFC rather than the poor journalistic skills of Ms. Skowronek.

Sincerely,

A concerned NON-GREEK

The IFC is not Bullying the Kappa SIgma organization. Kappa Sigma is full of very nice guys i agree, but they are not recognized by GRAND VALLEY and this is why they are not allowed to be affiliated with GRAND VALLEY. They refused to follow the guidelines IFC and then GRAND VALLEY put infront of them to be an RSO (registered student organization). Panhellenic women (sorority women) do not associate with organizations that go against Grand Valley policies, which is why the photos of us were shocking. There is not much of an issue here with Kappa Sigma or greek life just bad Journalism by the part of a student… not a professional.

Quick and simple, here it is. This thread line with comments by Grand Valley Greeks does NOT improve the image of Greek Life. Attacks on outside organizations makes all of organizations look bad. Issues like these concerning Kappa Sigma and our personal views need to remain internal. Kappa Sigma may not be recognized by the University, but they’re a Fraternity full of men none the less. While there are acute reasonings to be upset as Greek Life in general with their event and this article posting… Please remember that this article is a fine example of the worries so many of us held when not initiating Kappa Sigma into the IFC.

Kappa Sigma is not recognized fraternity at GVSU. These pictures are from the Alpha Sigma Phi and Sigma Kappa car smash, so these pictures should not be used. Please consider revising.

Kappa Sigma was wrongfully denied acceptance into the IFC at Grand Valley State University. Kappa Sigma is more of a fraternity than many others on this campus. Discrimination and Prejudice should not be found on the IFC, however, it is clearly seen in many of its members.

Typical GVSU Greeks acting like they are better than everyone else. Don’t we all go to GVSU? Instead of playing out your little politics on a comment section in the Lanthorn, do something to improve your poor reputation on this campus. But what do I know, I’m just a GDI.

Greeks represent what 5% of the whole GV student population, yet they think they rule the campus. In all honesty non-greeks cant stand the greek community so instead of worrying about pictures start caring about your reputations