Certain Greek organizations from the University have garnered negative attention recently. However, University officials and Greek members are puzzled by the recent graffiti spotted on the Greek wall located on Palmer Avenue near Lee Hall.
Brandon Alexander, 22, president of the Beta Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. said he was informed around 6 p.m. on Sunday that his fraternity’s section of the wall located on the side of Lee Hall had been defaced.
“At first I thought it was a joke,” said the professional MBA candidate from Columbus, Ohio. “Then I thought, why would anyone want to do that,” he said.
After the initial shock, Alexander and one of his fraternity brothers notified the authorities.
“We contacted FAMU PD and tried to see if there were any cameras that caught the person,” he said.
When they found out that there were no suspects, Alexander said all that they could do was take pictures of the damage.
Dean Henry L. Kirby, associate vice president/dean of student affairs, said the situation was just brought to his attention.
“I will have to notify the police department,” he said. “Also, I want students to notify the police department when they see something (suspicious).”
“If (people) are caught defacing University property, they can be charged criminally or be subject to the student code of conduct,” Kirby said.
According to FAMU’s student code of conduct, “The offense destruction of property is defined as willful and malicious defacement, damage or destruction of University property or the private property of another.”
The document states that vandalism falls under the same jurisdiction.
“In addition to being subject to disciplinary action,students or student organizations responsible for such damage may be financially liable,” stated the code of conduct.
Artellia Moss, a member of the Beta Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and former president, said that leadership officials spoke to the sorority when a similar situation happened two years ago.
“Leadership told the (girls) not to take it personally,” said the graduating MBA student from Houston. “We had to understand getting upset and retaliating wouldn’t rectify the situation,” said the 23-year-old.
She also said defacing the walls of Greek organizations makes the school look bad.
“It’s unfortunate if that’s the way people feel they have to represent themselves,” she said.
But people are still trying to figure out why this was done in the first place.
Kirby said it is possible the vandalism happened because some fraternities and sororities are inducting new members this semester.
“I suspect because of the different intake processes of fraternities and sororities, different pranks are being done.”
But Alexander said he believes differently.
“I definitely don’t believe any other Greeks would do this,” he said. “Although we rip and jab at each other, it is all in fun. We wouldn’t do that, we have respect for each other’s symbols and walls.”
Nevertheless, Kirby said whether the culprit or culprits have a Greek affiliation or not, it is still against University policy.
“Whether it was a member of a (Greek organization) or not, it is a violation.”
Alexander did not seem to be set back by the defacing.
He said that he and his fraternity brothers are going to paint their portion of the wall during their weekly frat night this Friday.
“We’re going to buy some paint and take care of the problem ourselves,” he said. “It should be a good way for us to bond.”