Beta fraternity under investigation

One of IU's oldest Greek organizations suffered a legal blow last week when an Indianapolis man filed suit against the fraternity and several of its members. \nBeta Theta Pi faces a lawsuit stemming from a January 2000 incident in which five fraternity members allegedly chased a party-goer to a campus residence hall and beat him. \nColumbia University student Michael Kirk, 20, alleges fraternity members chased him from a party at the house, located at 919 E. 10th Street, to McNutt Quad, the location of the reported assault. IU Police Department arrived at the scene at 1:30 am Jan. 16 to find Kirk unconscious. He suffered injuries to his face and head, according to a police report. \nCiting the report, IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said Kirk appeared to have been struck in the face. His left eye swollen shut and head bleeding, he was unconscious but breathing, Minger said. Because he had an irregular heartbeat the paramedics wanted to take him to the hospital for further observation.\nSeveral fraternity members told police they chased Kirk after he threw a rock through a fraternity window. \nThe lawsuit, filed in Monroe Circuit Court, primarily named Dustin D. Harrington and Carl R. Conodera as defendants. The suit also targets Beta Theta Pi's national foundation, the Pi chapter at IU and three other fraternity members accused in the assault. \nBrandon M. Kitkowski, a third defendant cited, was arrested and later charged with Class C felony battery, according to IUPD records. Harrington and Kitkowski were arrested the night of the altercation, and Condera was arrested in early February, also charged with class C battery. \nStephen Becker, administrative secretary for Beta's National Foundation in Oxford, Ohio, said the case is under review by the organization's legal advisers. The foundation's insurance agents have been working with Kirk's family throughout the case's progression, and the Pi chapter was placed on probation following the national organization's review of the event. \nBecker declined to comment further concerning the status of the case but placed his support behind the IU chapter. \n"The Pi chapter at IU has a long-standing history of tradition, with many prominent alumni going on to do great things," Becker said. "Like any fraternity at a large campus, it's challenged with the same issues that challenge all Greek organizations of its kind." \nDean of Students Richard McKaig said Beta was placed on campus probation as well as social restrictions for the 2000-2001 academic year and, consequently, was not permitted to participate in homecoming or IU Sing. They could also not be the host of parties or participate in sponsored social events.\nBut upon review prior to spring break by the Greek judicial board, administrators decided to allow the fraternity to participate in Little 500. \nMcKaig cited the use of alcohol as a primary factor in Beta's punishment, an issue familiar to all IU's men's fraternities. He cited a similar alcohol-related incident at Theta Chi fraternity in February, where freshman Seth Korona died, as an example.\n"It's an issue we've all had to deal with," McKaig said. "When alcohol is served at a party, it's a problem waiting to happen, and we've certainly had problems. I know fraternities are taking steps to address these issues, but I think we all would like to see quicker progress"