University of Michigan's Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and Sigma Alpha Tau sorority with approximately 120 members gathered at the Treetops ski resort on Jan. 17-18.
After their animal-style party, they have 45 damaged rooms and hallways, tore down the ceiling, and broke some furniture, Fox News reported.
It was first estimated by the resort's officials that damages costs around $75,000. Later, they conducted another assessment and Barry Owens, general manager of the resort, said that the damage was four times that the original estimate. (via Daily Mail)
"If you just look at our out-of-pocket expenses, things we've paid to contractors, third parties, it's around $230,000," Barry Owens told Detroit Free Press. "It doesn't take into consideration management time or damage to the resort's reputation."
Adding, "Our accountants and attorneys are saying that this could be up to an additional $200,000."
There had been no criminal charges filed, because the fraternity paid $25,000 resitution, but a representative of the fraternity told the resort that they are "unwilling to accept liability and pay restitution."
The university community has released a statement reiterating that they do not condone these kind of behaviors and "these incidents simply do not reflect the University of Michigan's values or its expectations," said E. Royster Harper, vice president for student life.
"The behaviors are a contradiction of what it means to be in and of a community, and we do not believe that being away from campus is a license to act in destructive and irresponsible ways."
Mlive.com adds that the university has already informed student leaders of fraternities and sororities through a letter written by Dean of Students Laura Blake Jones that outlines the sanctions.
"We are extremely disappointed by the reprehensible behavior and failure of groups to come forward with information regarding the individuals who are responsible for the incident," Jones wrote. "We strongly believe that individuals should accept responsibility for their actions."
Furthermore, it has been reported that U-M already disbanded the Sigma Alpha Mu and restricted the activities of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority for two years.
