Semi-nude pictures of University of Michigan fraternity gain unwanted attention
Semi-nude pictures of a University of Michigan fraternity are gaining unwanted attention.
The University of Michigan says its Office of Greek Life is investigating a fraternity's semi-nude photos that are garnering unwanted attention.
The pictures, which show many Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members clad in nothing but an American flag, and an accompanying email were sent to U-M sorority Alpha Phi prior to a joint party.
The email and photos were leaked to brobible.com and were later posted on Jezebel.com, a popular alternative blog owned by Gawker Media.
U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said the Greek life office and Interfraternity Council would consider whether disciplinary actions are appropriate and whether the group's actions were in keeping with the fraternity's code of conduct.
"The office of Greek life just learned about the photos today," Fitzgerald said. "We need to let the office of Greek life deal with it."
According to the post on brobible.com, the fraternity's social chair said he didn't expect "every frat and sorority to get their hands" on the email.
The fraternity has since blocked access to its Flickr account, where the images were posted. A student contact for the fraternity did not return an email requesting comment.
On its website the fraternity lists integrity as one of their values, saying members seek "the full development of their intellectual and personal potential."
Comments
A2comments
Fri, Feb 22, 2013 : 2:08 p.m.
Those that think this is overblown need to look at the email sent, and ALL the pictures. If you think the email and pics are fine, then let us know. http://www.brobible.com/college/article/michigan-pikes-nearly-nude-pic-to-sorority
dotdash
Wed, Feb 20, 2013 : 12:21 p.m.
A lot of those guys look seriously uncomfortable and awkward -- as they should. It's a weird thing they've done: sent a lightly-veiled group sexual invitation.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Feb 20, 2013 : 2:54 a.m.
Their folks must be so proud. And using the American flag as well!
Jody Durkacs
Wed, Feb 20, 2013 : 2:20 a.m.
Oh the tragedy of First World Problems...
CynicA2
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:53 p.m.
Like, who cares - why is this even news?!
Jack Gladney
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 8:50 p.m.
...actually the BAC was .4, not .04....
Jenn McKee
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 8:43 p.m.
I find it hard to believe that anyone who sends photos anywhere electronically doesn't consider, even for a moment, the possibility that it could be leaked elsewhere.
ViSHa
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 9:34 p.m.
These will be great if/when any future employers google their UM fraternity chapter, lol.
Scott Reed
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 7:55 p.m.
Not sure why this is a big deal...
Basic Bob
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.
I have to disagree with the headline. Attention seems to be exactly what they were seeking.
Bertha Venation
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:33 p.m.
Semi Nude??? REALLY~! Aw, c'mon! You see more than this on the beach! Are men's pecs and nips really considered "NUDE"??
dancinginmysoul
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:09 p.m.
This just makes me laugh. Especially the guy 3rd from the right. You go boy.
smokeblwr
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:42 p.m.
Why is it ok for sororities to do this but when the frats bro down and show some sexy patriotism they get in trouble?
Jeremy Adams
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:26 p.m.
Really? Whooptie-Friggen-Do. If Frat guys weren't getting half naked for a party, THEN I'd be concerned. How is this even news? Filing under "Don't Care".
Jack Gladney
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
Thanks for deleting my comment, annarbor.com. I think it's good that your article hides the fact that one of the pictures in the email invitation to the girls suggests someone being given an alcohol enema, the most extreme form of binge consumption. Instead, let the frat boys have their fun with the girls on the weekend, and then have a good cry on Monday and a vigil to protest sexual violence against women on Tuesday. Good plan.
Jack Gladney
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.
@smoke I don't have a newsletter, but I do watch the news. You and certain reporters missed the story last week about a dozen frat boys at the University of Tennesee who were charged with various counts after an underage student was admitted to the hospital with a BAC over .04. Doctors thought intitially that the student was a sexual assault victim. Nope. Alcohol enema.
smokeblwr
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:42 p.m.
Alcohol enema? Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Paula Gardner
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:35 p.m.
If you're truly surprised at the reason it was deleted, get in touch with me or Kyle Mattson (kylemattson@annarbor.com) and we can give you a refresher on the guidelines. Thank you for reposting in a civil way, though.
justcurious
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:17 p.m.
A tempest in a teapot considering what the parents of these kids forgot to tell them about decency. I do agree about the flag. None of these young men will be drafted and forced to defend that flag.
GoNavy
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:52 p.m.
We have an all-volunteer force in this country, and I'd prefer to keep it that way.
trespass
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:50 p.m.
The fact that AA.com did not show the other pictures makes the story confusing. I doubt that the picture in this story would have gotten them in trouble. The reporter should at least have said that there were other pictures posted and that the reader had to go to the other blogs to see them. If AA.com doesn't want to show the other pictures to the readers without warning them, why not post them as an attachment with an appropriate warning. The pictures still don't show any more than any firemen's sexy calendar out their. The University has a policy on freedom of expression that protects performances that even include nudity, so I cannot understand how there could be any university policy that prohibits these photos.
A2comments
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.
When you look at the actual email and pics, http://www.brobible.com/college/article/michigan-pikes-nearly-nude-pic-to-sorority, you can see they were nude and the message was inappropriate. Disciplinary action is needed.
shipdog7
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 10:31 a.m.
It is actually funny when you consider the fact if these guys were totally nude they would be saying "hey......your touching me. Give me my space man!" Too bad it wasn't done for a charity event. Male and female members of the women's rowing team at Warwick University have done nude charity calendars for years. The guys with just their hands covering their privates. Would I approve of my son or daughter doing it? Nah
Tesla
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:49 a.m.
The Office of Greek Life? LOL Thats a really dumb name for the organization. Please.
Tim Hornton
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:39 a.m.
I heard these young scholars sent this to their girlfriend's sorority... The Omega Moo's.
Kai Petainen
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:33 a.m.
Compare this with the University of Toronto and the sex club that hit the news. http://tinyurl.com/a2ckpxm "The University will not attempt to censor, control or interfere with any group on the basis of its philosophy, beliefs, interests or opinions expressed, unless and until these lead to activities which are illegal or which infring the rights and freedoms" -The University of Toronto
GoNavy
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:51 p.m.
Our enlightened neighbors to the north do not consider themselves to be puritanical utopians.
Tim Hornton
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:33 a.m.
"Great" column kellie woodhouse. I'm embarresed for AA news for for this. Wow frat boys with their shirts off.
Paula Gardner
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:10 a.m.
Don't be embarrassed for us. It's OK to tell us that you don't like a story!
nuseph
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:16 a.m.
This article would have done well to note that the pic above was not the only one. Others include a keg and beers and the pics accompanied a fairly suggestive e-mail. Nothing I particularly care about, but not quite as innocent as the one pic above would suggest.
Paul
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:03 a.m.
Least they are in good shape, lol Yeah its distasteful using the flag, that is their big mistake, IMO Its not something I would ever do but in todays world, I don't see any laws broken. Yeah lets hope they have their undies on but even if not, nothing is showing. To think ladies walk the beaches topples over in Europe, us Americans are so modest
GoNavy
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:45 a.m.
Look how far the University has come (gone). I ran the Naked Mile the last year it was "allowed." After that, the police went about "protecting us" for our own good - and the University lost another tradition. I can tell you that harmless crap like this happens all the time at Service Academies, especially at a certain institution which seeks to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically.
Halter
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:24 a.m.
Not news...and not our problem...this s only here to garner hits for ad purposes...
USRepublic
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:18 a.m.
Aa.com left out the best part! Their email to the Alpha Phi women... http://www.brobible.com/college/article/michigan-pikes-nearly-nude-pic-to-sorority Might be funniest thing I've read in a long time....
DBH
Wed, Feb 20, 2013 : 12:34 a.m.
@USR, no hate, just disagreeement. And their "humor" hardly went over my head. I don't consider inanity humorous, but to each their own. If that's your cup of tea, so be it.
USRepublic
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 9:52 p.m.
D....don't be Hate... I believe their humor went over your head. Get a life.
DBH
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:34 a.m.
Funny? You have a low bar for what you consider humorous. I would call it sophomoric, only because I don't know the equivalent term for a 1st grader. It was stupid, plain and simple. Literally.
original perp
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:26 a.m.
Appalling how fast we forget how much courage it took Tommie Smith and John Carlos to make a statement that shocked the world. Disturbing that such a gesture goes completely unnoticed.
An Arborigine
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:59 a.m.
The Leaders and Best, oh except for the frat boys
Dcam
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:42 a.m.
One thing's for certain, for being the brightest and best they do lack originality and creativity.
aareader
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:58 a.m.
Wow. Let's see... just guys without tee shirts with a flag not on the ground or not burning or not ripped, no booze, no naked women, no inappropriate comments! OH!!!! how bad can it get! One would hope the folks worried about this picture never go to a beach. Now this is truly an example of a very slow news day or ........ ????
Dcam
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:40 a.m.
Oh, I'm quite certain that the flag is draped on the floor unless it's well-starched and self-supporting on the right.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:57 a.m.
At least they weren't doing the baby elephant walk. Crazy frat boys, anyway.
a2roots
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:38 a.m.
So they are semi nude, which means their shirts are off. Been to the beach lately. This is a non issue and should be handled as such by the Office of Greek Life.
jackdaniels
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:18 a.m.
Men and women give their lives for that same flag those disgraceful children are using as a prop for their dumb photo op. For the sole reason of using our country's flag, I believe they should all receive some disciplinary action
Dcam
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:09 p.m.
JphnnyA2, a flag represents territory, and it means more, apparently, to those who wish to claim it than it does to those who happen to occupy it. Imagine a Buckeye hauling down the UM flag, taking a poop on it, and then hoisting the OSU flag on campus. Would that bother you? Of course, I'd get a big chuckle out of it - just watching the UM caterwauling.
johnnya2
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:01 a.m.
NOBODY gave their lives for a flag. If they do, they are stupid. Soldiers who give their lives do it for FREEDOM, or a principle. A flag is a piece of cloth with colors on it. The fact you see it as something more is EVERYTHING that is a problem in the world As far as I am concerned they could defecate on the flag and it would be nothing more than poop on a piece of cloth
a2roots
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:43 a.m.
Get over it jd. They are not burning the flag, stomping on it or doing anything mean spirited. There doesn't even appear to be any of those nasty hippie types in the picture.
JBK
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:31 a.m.
Like what? A spanking with a Fraternity paddle? "Oh please sir,.......may I have another?" :)
Seasoned Cit
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:16 a.m.
They need a refresher course in US flag etiquette . Otherwise a nice photo.
HB11
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:55 p.m.
@Paula, those photos are worse. I agree with Seasoned Cit and Top Cat. The US flag is not an accessory and should be given respect, and not be worn as a diaper.
Paula Gardner
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:06 a.m.
I'm curious: Did you look at the other photos on the other sites? Wondering if you felt the same way about them.
Elijah Shalis
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:13 a.m.
Go get em, they look sexy and it looks fine to me.
huh7891
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:23 a.m.
Sorry...not so much....
Top Cat
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:57 a.m.
Whatever happened to treating our nation's flag with respect?
Paul
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:18 a.m.
It went out the window long ago ........................ Celebs In American Flag Bikinis http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/04/celebs-in-american-flag-b_n_633990.html#s109671&title=Kid_Rock
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:58 a.m.
They hung hung the flag on the flag pole.
Reverend Bubba X
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:36 a.m.
The First Amendmentof the Constitution of the United States of America happened. Whatever happened to respect for freedom of speech?
jcj
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:02 a.m.
Your is the best reason for not doing this.
JBK
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:52 a.m.
Personally, you see my flesh in this years Sports Illustrated magazine! Go Pike! Phi Phi
M
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.
A Freudian slip is when you say one thing and mean your mother.
Homeland Conspiracy
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 5:39 a.m.
Surrrrre you did
a2citizen
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:34 a.m.
Freudian slip?
JBK
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:58 a.m.
Oops! I meant "you see more flesh in this years" :)
Angry Moderate
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:51 a.m.
Who cares, and why is this in the news? They are not nude--nude means not wearing clothes. Anyone who isn't wearing a burka from head to toe could be called "semi-nude." And even if they were nude, why would this possibly be a disciplinary issue?
Angry Moderate
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:06 a.m.
Also, what's up with throwing the line about their value of "integrity" in at the end of the article, with no commentary or explanation of why it's there? Is this supposed to imply that not wearing a shirt could be a violation of their principle of integrity?
Angry Moderate
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:45 a.m.
Jezebel is a women's gossip blog that publishes useless drivel all day long, and most of the comments there are just about how big of a non-story this is. Getting posted on "Bro Bible" doesn't make it news either. I know that A2.com wants to generate hits and comments, but trying to turn this into a controversial issue beyond a stretch.
Kyle Mattson
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 1:18 a.m.
Hi Angry M- Actually I think you raise on interesting discussion on this on this story with your last question there as personally I see the fact that this made it to a top global site like Jezebel the most surprising aspect of the entire story. I'd encourage readers to check out the links to the Jezebel and Brobible posts to read the entire background then weigh in here with your thoughts on if this situation warrants any action by the U or can be simply chalked up to life as a college student.
DBH
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:49 a.m.
How can anyone tell that the frat members are unclothed behind the flag? I think it's more likely they are wearing shorts of some sort.
zanzerbar
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
should da de-crypticed it
DBH
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:40 p.m.
@zanzerbar, I know what indecent means, but thanks anyway. I was referring to your cryptic hyphenated blank.
zanzerbar
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 3:06 p.m.
@DBH...indecent as in.......Indecent exposure is the deliberate exposure in public or in view of the general public by a person of a portion or portions of his or her body,
DBH
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 4:35 a.m.
@zanzerbar, I have no idea what you're getting at.
zanzerbar
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:17 a.m.
I am sure that they are, because they would not want appear to be ____---_(fill in the blank)