Several incidents of vandalism and harassment have occurred at the Sigma Pi fraternity house, formerly the Pi Kappa Alpha, or PIKE, fraternity house.

According to police reports, "PIKE" and "You're fucked" were spray painted on the walls of the Sigma Pi fraternity house on Aug. 13. That same night someone also threw five paintballs at the house and smeared what appeared to be feces on the walls.

According to reports, Sigma Pi reported the same incident a few weeks earlier and had to pay $250 to get the graffiti sandblasted off the walls.

Police speculate that the incidents could be the result of bitterness over Sigma Pi's recent move into what has long been known as the PIKE house.

PIKE members moved out of the house after losing their university recognition in January 2003. The fraternity was on probation for fighting when Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol (GAMMA) found alcohol at what was supposed to be a dry rush party.

The Pi Kappa Alpha national office later withdrew its recognition of the local chapter's charter.

Soon after, the Sigma Pi fraternity began reporting vandalism and threats.

On Aug. 15, Sigma Pi filed a police report after its members reported being threatened by several men driving by their fraternity in a green or black truck with a trailer. The men in the truck yelled "Get out of our house," "This is PIKE" and "You're fucking dead," according to reports.

James Wie, Sigma Pi president, said his fraternity moved into the old PIKE house in mid-June after signing a three-year lease.

"Technically it's still their fraternity," he said, "We don't know whether they feel threatened or what."

Wie said Sigma Pi doesn't want to point fingers and is trying to ignore the incidents.

"There's been a handful of incidents since we've been here, but they've all been minor," he said, "We're trying to be the bigger group and rise above it."

Since the PIKE fraternity is no longer a recognized group on campus, the Wildcat was unable to find any former PIKE members for comment. An e-mail sent to the National Pi Kappa Alpha headquarters was not responded to by time of print.

Sergeant Eugene Mejia, UAPD spokesman, said since April there have been seven reported incidents of vandalism or threats/intimidation either involving the Sigma Pi house or Sigma Pi members.

Mejia said although some of the reports don't list a suspect, other cases seem to implicate former PIKE members.

"A lot seem to indicate that ex-PIKE members are feeling animosity towards the occupation of their former building," he said. "Whoever is doing it is resorting to criminal activities to deal with their frustration."

Mejia said UAPD is working with the Sigma Pi adviser to help put a stop to the incidents.

"We have a high interest in the case and in identifying the suspects so that they can be dealt with appropriately," Mejia said.

If caught, the perpetrators could face a threats/intimidation charge or could be charged with criminal damage.

Mejia said depending on the amount of damage someone is charged with, he could face felony charges.

Ted Burhans, president of the Interfraternity Council, said Sigma Pi is dealing with the issue at an internal level.

"We haven't known everything that's been going on so, the UA has no official stance," Burhans said.

Veda Kowalski, associate dean of students, said the former members of PIKE are not allowed to organize as a group since they are no longer recognized by the university.

Kowalski said that if any suspects were caught, the university would not be able to take any action against them.

"They're not recognized as a student organization so the school has no jurisdiction," she said.

PIKE is expected to begin the reapplication process with the national Pi Kappa Alpha office and the UA in spring 2005.