University Of Michigan Fraternity Suspended For Allegedly Causing $50,000 In Damage To Ski Resort

The University of Michigan chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu (SAM) has been suspended by its national organization for allegedly causing a reported $50,000 worth of damage to a northern Michigan ski resort, according to student newspaper The Michigan Daily.

"We are embarrassed and ashamed of the behavior of a few of our chapter members at Treetops Resort over the weekend of January 17-18," the UMich fraternity said in a statement Wednesday. "This behavior is inconsistent with the values, policies, and practices of this organization."

"We had a group of a fraternity that was visiting and had an excessive party and did damage on the resort. Food, beer, alcohol, the walls, carpet damage, ceiling broken down and furniture damage," the Treetops Resorts general manager told local 9 & 10 News. He also said that the students had to be led out of the hotel by police.

Here's what the damage reportedly looked like:

Another northern Michigan ski resort also experienced thousands of dollars in damage the same weekend, reportedly also caused by students involved in UMich Greek life. 

While SAM is already under suspension, a UMich spokesperson told The Michigan Daily that the university has asked other national Greek organizations to take similar actions.

UMich Sigma Alpha Mu president Joshua Kaplan released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:

We are embarrassed and ashamed of the behavior of a few of our chapter members at Treetops Resort over the weekend of January 17-18. This behavior is inconsistent with the values, policies, and practices of this organization.

Our chapter accepts full responsibility for this incident and we will be working with the management of the resort to pay for all damages and cleaning costs.

We will work within our own organization and with university officials to hold those who are responsible accountable for their actions.

There will be no further comment from this chapter or organization regarding this matter.

The University of Michigan sent the following statement to Business Insider Wednesday:

We are very disappointed in the behavior of some of our students during a weekend visit to two northern Michigan ski resorts. I want to assure you that the organizations and the individuals involved will be held accountable for their actions. While we are still gathering information, we understand that the damage at Treetops Resort and Boyne Highlands is expected to total in the thousands of dollars. U-M staff members in the Office of Greek Life have begun meeting with the presidents of the fraternities and sororities involved. We expect full payment for all damages. The local Greek chapters are in the process of notifying their national organizations, which could bring their own sanctions. We are confident the national organizations will take this seriously and will work through this situation in collaboration with the university. Additionally, these incidents will be addressed through the Greek Life student judiciary process on our campus.

We have reached out to the University of Michigan and Sigma Alpha Mu national for any updated comments.