UA student body president: This will not be tolerated at UA

Arizona State University president Michael Crow said Thursday that disciplinary action would be taken against ASU fraternities and fraternity members ÷ including the executive vice president of the student government at the Tempe university ÷ who took part in making a pornographic video that included sex on a campus lawn, porn stars and a sexual scavenger hunt.

Members of the UA community said a similar event couldn't and shouldn't happen here.

The September production of "Shane's World #29: Frat Row Scavenger Hunt 3" featured ASU fraternity members ÷ including a shower scene with Brian Buck, Sigma Nu member and executive vice president of the Associated Students of ASU ÷ performing sexual acts with porn stars.

The ASU student body president and vice president said they didn't see the production of the video as a big deal and it would most likely not affect any leadership positions.

Members of Theta Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Kappa Sigma and Sigma Nu were all involved in the film, featuring a "sexual scavenger hunt" by the film crew.

Sex toys and other objects were used as the hunt moved from bedroom to living room to limousine to poolside and even to a public campus lawn and the front of a residence hall.

Two women were in each of the two teams that performed sexual acts with the fraternity members. The teams earned points in the scavenger hunt via sexual acts, and the team with the most points won the hunt. There was no sexual intercourse.

The video was brought to the attention of ASU administrators in early July. Administrators said the sexual acts violated the code of conduct.

ASU President Michael Crow had consulted with the Arizona Attorney General's Office and the campus police department regarding the appropriate disciplinary response.

UA student body president Doug Hartz commented, "Students at the UA should know that this type of thing will not be tolerated at our institution."

UA fraternity officials, have also distanced themselves from the event.

"The sad fact is that it was a few people who couldn't control themselves," said Josh Surridge, Public Relations representative for UA Interfraternity Council. "We definitely have confidence in our fraternities here not to pull a stunt like that."

Hartz said leadership at ASU was very different from that of the UA student government's, and added the possibility of a similar event here is not likely.

"We hold our leadership to a higher degree," Hartz said. "As leaders you have to maintain a professional image."

Andy Quinn, a UA pre-business sophomore, said he thought most guys would say yes to an opportunity to be in a porn video, but not if it jeopardized their organization's reputation.

"It's a little inappropriate," said Quinn, member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. "I would feel weird if it was going on at our house."

Surridge said if "a case as serious as this" occurred at UA, the participants would be immediately referred to the Dean of Students. In addition, the fraternities involved would be reprimanded by the Greek Judicial Board and by their individual national organizations.

James McGovern, a French and computer engineering junior, said pornography makes life more interesting and would not affect a leadership role.

He referred to Italy, where an ex-porn star is a member of parliament.

"As long as people don't get hurt (it's OK)," McGovern said.

The University of Arizona Code of Conduct prohibits public sexual indecency and indecent exposure but is not specific enough to include anything related to the production of pornographic videos.

According to the Code of Conduct, however, the board may take "necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the university."

Punishments ranged from a warning to expulsion.

Alexis Hernandez, associate dean of students, said he was not aware of past similar occurrences or what the dean of students would do if it were to occur now at UA.

"I know of no policy related to that," Hernandez said.

Hartz expressed concern that the conduct of ASU leaders would harm the reputation of UA student leadership. Both campuses are linked by the Associated Students of Arizona, a student lobbyist group, and both student governments lobby the State Legislature for more funding of higher education.

"As leaders we have to prove constantly that our opinions are credible," Hartz said. "We will have to work cooperatively [with the leaders of ASU] to try to reestablish the professionalism."