Sigma Chi Flies Flag at Half-Staff After UCF Sorority Death
News, UCF Greek Life — By Staff on August 26, 2011 at 3:12 pmOne day after UCF announced to media outlets it was investigating a party held by Sigma Chi following student Ann Hefferin’s sudden death, the fraternity lowered its flag to half-staff.
Multiple sources inside the UCF Greek community told KnightNews.com Hefferin attended the party before she died.
KnightNews.com tried confirming whether Sigma Chi was expressing its condolences, but a spokesman from the fraternity’s national office has not returned calls to do so.
Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding what caused the new Delta Delta Delta sorority member’s death continues. KnightNews.com checked in with the Orange County Medical Examiner’s office Friday afternoon and found out it is expected to take about five weeks before toxicology tests are back.
Toxicology reports will show whether alcohol or drugs were in her system, and that information could be used to determine the cause and manner of death, according to the Medical Examiner’s office.
At this point the autopsy’s official status is “pending” and officials said they do not yet know if alcohol played any role in her death at all.
KnightNews.com will continue following this major UCF news. Check back for updates.
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7 Comments
The following is a list of all the studets that have past away in the last academic year that attended UCF. Maybe all you people knocking the greek system should realize that tragedies happen all the time, but when its in the greek system there is just more publicity to it, because it affects more people. In dorm rooms all over UCF and every other university there are kids over dosing on all kinds of stupid crap. Stop looking for a scape goat and take some responsibility people.
Charles Greely, Office of Undergraduate Studies
– Benny Abreu, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
– Kelly McConnell, Office of Undergraduate Studies
– Gerald-Mark Breen, College of Health and Public Affairs
– Helen Hoekstra, College of Sciences
– Gregory Martin, College of Health and Public Affairs
– Frank Marchica, College of Business Administration
– Jennifer Roqueta, College of Business Administration
– Vanessa Marson, College of Health and Public Affairs
– Jennifer Laird, College of Sciences
– David Schaefer, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
– Chelsea Torres, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
– Tina Davia, College of Health and Public Affairs
– Maria Vanegas, College of Engineering and Computer Science
And Ann, how about you learn the facts before you run your mouth. The party was NOT a Sigma Chi Delta Delta Delta function, there were members of every sorority present. Also, why dont you wait a few days and see that Delta Delta Delta also planned a candle light vigil in Ann’s honor, yet is still wrongfully being punished. Also, think about the fact that in the 911 call Ann’s roommate stated that Ann said her “heart hurt” and that she was “having chest pain”, that there is absolutely NO proof of her death having anything to do with alcohol, and that she had no symptoms of alchol posioning. Delta Delta Delta and Sigma Chi are both being wrongfully associated for something that could have happened wether Ann went to a party, out to dinner or a movie, or was just hanging out in her room. There is again, ZERO evidence that alcohol caused her death.
How about instead of saying terrible things about the greek community, which you onviously know nothing about, you think about the fact that Ann was someones DAUGHTER. How would you feel if you had to read these things about your child? Your disrespect for someone that has passed away and her family is disgusting. An I agree with Beth, just because you didn’t get a bid and are probably just bitter because of that you should really keep your mouth shut unless you have something NICE to say for Ann.
I intentionally don’t hire people that list their fraternity or sorority participation on their resume. Listing frat/sorority membership as if it’s something that puts you above the other candidates is sad and personifies the crap that the ‘brothers and sisters’ tell you wheile you’re licking their shoes as a pledge “you will be better off one day because of this and other brothers will hire you one day”. All for the sake of being accepted into a group. Allowing yourself to be hazed by a bunch of self-centered punks and brats makes no sense.
Fraternities and Sororities are the least inclusive and most self-centered examples of college life. The rush process and the selection process are ridiculous and should be eliminated – along with the entire Greek community. Beth sums up frat and sorority behavior with “too bad you didn’t get a bid or got balled” Elitists trying to brainwash with stories of bonding an opportunities.
Let’s hope that some ‘frat brother’ didn’t slip something into this young girls drink causing her to die. And Beth, when speaking about the hosts of the party – there’s not a level to rise to – this is the bottom. It can’t get any worse than this.
God be with this young girls family.
Well said, Ann. I agree 100% with everything you stated in your post.
Fly their flag at half-staff?? Are you kidding? This is the very least and the smallest thing they can do. What does that take? For someone to walk outside and lower their flag that flies every day a few feet – what all of ten minutes? How does this remotely compare to what has happened? What has our country come to??? A young woman is dead. And regardless of what happened, it is definitely an eye opener to what is going on at our universities today. Ann Marie Hefferin was a beautiful, cheerful, happy young woman who was just starting her college career – just like the millions of students across America. And now she is gone from this earth forever. I am ashamed to know that the only thing Sigma Chi came up with was to fly their flag at half-staff. What about making some real social change?? What about actually stepping up to the plate and stating and enforcing that from this day forward they will follow University and State Law, and will guarantee that there will no longer be alcohol and/or drugs at Sigma Chi and Delta, Delta, Delta functions where minors are present? What about actually demonstrating care that your social behavior may have contributed to the death of a fellow student and dedicating your sobriety to Ann Marie? While it certainly will not alter the reality that she is gone, it will go a long way in setting an example for other groups of students and preventing the unnecessary illness, rape, pregnancy or death of another student. Alcohol and drug use across America’s college and university campuses is rampant and out of control. I have personally seen the amount of alcohol consumed at UCF on-campus parties and at fraternity and sorority functions, as well as off campus at sites like Devaney’s. It is pointless. It is probably the one thing that bothers me most about growing up to be an adult. It’s like people forget that there are so many alternative fun things to do without alcohol, like dancing, karaoke, playing cards (Oh Hell, Poker, Texas Hold-Em, Bunco, etc.), golfing, darts, swimming, movies, competitions, game nights, etc. When did alcohol and/or drugs become the norm?? And why is it that no one ever wants to address the problem?? Does Ann Marie’s death mean nothing to you – all you students who claim to miss her and claim to have been her friend? Close your eyes for a moment and imagine it was you who died – how would your parents and family be feeling? Would you be satisfied that your death stood for nothing? Would you be content to know that the only thing your friends could give up was taking ten minutes out to lower a flag and a couple hours out to hold a vigil? Think about it – what if it was YOU??? What if it was your baby sister? Anyone and everyone involved here needs to wake up, recognize what has happened and change so that you can put your best foot forward to affect a social reform that is meaningful. We are human beings, and we need use our courage, conscience, strength and intelligence to create lasting social reform. It might be hard at first, but in the long run, it will be so much more meaningful and effective than just lowering a flag to half-staff.
Garrett and Rashon, you seem to have a lot to talk about, but not much to say. If we Greeks are paying for our friends, we aren’t paying enough. Nothing could compare to the bonds and opportunities forged in the Greek community. I’m sorry you didn’t get a bid, or worse, got balled for running your mouths too much. The facts are, she was sober and having CHEST PAINS. A girl is dead; someone’s baby is dead and all you can do is bash the Greek community? It’s really tragic to see someone so hateful using such a heinous and heartbreaking event as a scapegoat to try and bring others down simply because you couldn’t rise to our level. Focus on the true heart of the matter here and have a little respect for Annie and those who are missing her.