Sigma Alpha Mu, the historically Jewish fraternity known as Sammy, is shutting down its University of Michigan chapter in the aftermath of an incident that resulted in criminal charges against its president.

The Ann Arbor chapter’s president, Joshua Kaplan, and Zachary Levin, both 19, are facing misdemeanor charges for allowing drug and alcohol use by minors at a weekend party in January at a Michigan ski area. The wilding at Treetops Resort left 45 hotel rooms trashed and $430,000 worth of damage and legal fees, according to CBS Detroit. A third fraternity member was charged with a felony, malicious destruction of a building, according to the report.

Sigma Alpha Mu’s international board voted last week to shut down the chapter, and the University of Michigan called the students’ behavior “reprehensible.” A lawyer for Kaplan and Levin told CBS that his clients were involved only in planning the weekend, not committing the vandalism themselves. The students have been ordered to pay restitution to the hotel and the city in which it is located, Gaylord.

Otsego County prosecutor Michael Rola said more charges are likely, according to the report.

Are you one of our 2%?

Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.

But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses  —  take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.

Don’t just read the Forward — invest in it. Support our work today!

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT