OCOEE, Tenn. — A fraternity party got out of hand at the High Country Outfitters rafting company over the weekend, and 51 Vanderbilt University fraternity members ended up at the Polk County Jail on charges of underage drinking and disorderly conduct, authorities said.
The students face an Oct. 22nd Polk County court appearance on the charges, officials said.
Members of the Sigma Chi fraternity were at the campground Saturday night, and by Sunday morning the party had gotten out of hand, according to Polk County Sheriff’s Department dispatcher Gary Verner. He said rafting company representatives had told the group to tone it down, and when they didn’t the sheriff’s office was called.
Mr. Verner said the students were booked into the jail and each released on a $1,500 bond. A McMinn bonding company provided for their release, he said.
Polk County Clerk of Courts Connie Clark said arrest warrants indicated all those arrested were 19 or 20 years old.
High Country owner Gerald Marshall said Tuesday he had no comment on the incident.
Vanderbilt University spokeswoman Elizabeth Latt said university officials were told of the charges on Sunday, and that the university and the Sigma Chi International fraternity are investigating.
“If the investigation indicates action is warranted, the chapter and individuals will be held accountable for their behavior,” she said.
A law enforcement investigation into the incident and where the group obtained the alcoholic beverages is under way, according to Polk County authorities.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.
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