Following an incident over the weekend where a student was wrapped in toilet paper and set on fire, UK Fire Marshal Greg Williamson has recommended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house be closed for two semesters. 
UK Police Chief Joe Monroe said police found a student wrapped in toilet paper like a mummy after responding to an alarm early Saturday morning. Sean Dunn, an international studies sophomore, took out a match and lit the toilet paper on fire, Monroe said.
According to the police report, the victim was in flames up to his shoulders. When he realized he was burning, he performed the stop, drop and roll technique, which set the carpet on fire. The report says that when Dunn saw the carpet on fire, he began to stomp out the flames. After the fire was extinguished, Dunn attempted to clean up the fire damage with toilet paper.
“We don’t believe it was (hazing), nothing has led us to believe it was hazing,” Monroe said.
Monroe said the victim had no injuries and needed no medical treatment, but he had singed pants.
Monroe said Dunn sustained first-degree burns on his hands and was charged with first-degree arson, first-degree wanton endangerment and tampering with physical evidence.
“Obviously they used poor judgment which was clouded by the use of alcohol. We did find numerous alcohol violations in the building,” Monroe said. “We will probably wrap (the investigation) up in the next few days, and we will turn it over to the Dean of Students for their investigation.”
Dunn declined to comment on the investigation.
When officers were making sure everyone was out of their rooms, they came across a locked door and retrieved a key to enter, Monroe said. When police entered the room, a fight occurred, which led to police charging international studies junior Joe McKinley with third-degree assault of an officer.
The Dean of Students Office has shut down the fraternity following an order from its national headquarters to suspend all of SAE’s fraternity-related events, and the fire marshal has recommended the fraternity house be closed until January 2011.
Williamson said numerous violations occurred inside the house, including doorways severed and covered with sheets, beds enclosed and too many candles.
“There are violations in all houses … if you find one or two violations, it’s not that big of a deal,” he said. “ … but if you find 40 or 50 of them, you have a problem.”
The house passed an inspection in the past week, Williamson said, but the violations were not visible during that inspection.
“It was not the incident that got the house (closed),” Williamson said. “It was the incident plus the condition of the house.”
SAE has revoked Dunn’s membership, and the fraternity’s headquarters is investigating the incident, according to the SAE Web site.
Dunn’s arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m., and McKinley’s is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. UK Police and the fire marshal will share reports with the Dean of Students to determine whether or not the fraternity will return to campus.
Don’t know what’s more weird. This story or the one where the 2 guys were buying drugs and were robbed. lol
wow two tries and the Kernel still dosent have the story right, must have some serious dumbasses on the job
What’s the right story, Actualtruth?
This seems the most accurate of the stories so far. Seems to fit what Dunn told Police and what bystanders said happened. I’m sure Dean Stanton knows more, there have been several SAE members in his office today. Including a female who said she was at the party and helped wrap the guy in toilet paper.
Another assault arrest for Joe. Thought he learned from last time
Still can’t believe this was on NBC and FoxNews!! It appears to ACTUALTRUTH this is all a World Wide conspiracy against S.A.E.
Well I am an outsider looking in, I graduted in 86′ and never joined a fraternity. But while I was at UK SAE always seemed pretty classy. Sure they were cocky, just like sigma chi and delta tau delta but overall they seemed to be successful and well spoken men. I have taken an interest in this story and have read its multiple accounts and it seems to me that with the current media circus this story has attracted, if these were such awful guys they would be much more outspoken and be saying some awful things, going on the offensive if you will. It seems these guys have really kept their composure in what must be a trying time. You have to respect that. Sure every fraternity has its horror stories and 99 percent of the time there isn’t any truth behind them, I am going to keep tabs on this story but for now I’m going to have to side the SAE. It seems to me one guy ruined it for everyone, and the kernel said his membership has been revoked.
Seems to me this sets a long standard of behavior for the SAE chapter, not thinking about any consequences because you think you are above the law. How about the pledge they almost killed recently by making him bong vodka? or the rape allegations against a “non member” in the SAE house during rush awhile back? Any other chapter would have gotten kicked out of their house along time ago but it finally takes something this stupid to get them kicked out. It well known by everyone on campus that the university is scared to punish them due to their alumni strength and ole W.T. Youngs donations. Im greek but it pisses me off that another chapter can bend/break the rules constantly with little major consequences till now. Good riddance.
Well for starters the carpet wasnt set on fire, the damage in the hallway was very minimal, and the police did not find anyone wrapped in toilet paper, they were only told this. The second biggest outright lie in the article is the “fight” that broke out when the police entered Joe’s room, what actually happened was joe was asleep and when the police entered the room yelling, “oh too drunk to wake up for the fire alarm,” and then proceeded to push and touch joe all the while having their flashlights in his face and joe merely swatted at them not knowing they were police officers and no cop was actually touched unlike the kernel reports. As far as the fire code violations and condition of the house, it was scented candles and bed sheets hung by the beds for privacy that closed the house, nothing more. So before everyone begins their crusade against us take into account you are not getting the actual story and the newspapers and media have skewed the story as to make it more interesting. The actions of one stupid drunk individual provoked this not the entire chapter!
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/08/1172942/uk-fire-marshal-recommends-fraternity.html
Actualtruth, you realize that the Kernel is simply reiterating the contents of the arrest report. You’re entitled to perceive the situation as you will, but if it’s not in a legal document, it doesn’t amount to shit. Responsible journalists don’t print speculation, so don’t attack the Kernel.
persecuting the entire fraternity for the actions of one individual is ridiculous, and im not sure when candles and bed sheets became such a hazard that 50 students had to be forced out in less than the 24 hours supposedly given to leave and given minimal help by the University. These actions taken by the University are rash and ill planned, many members are sleeping on couches or signing leases to apartments when they have already payed 3,000 dollars to live in the house and for meals, not to mention it is during midterm week! An isolated incident in the hallway viewed by about 3-5 people and the rest of the members for the most part not knowing what was happening is not grounds for people to claw into SAE like it is some vermin or diseased monster. SAE is full of good young men with promising futures that had nothing to do with any of this, but in the end just desserts will be realized, and more than likely not in the manner to which everyone who hates SAE will want, as there is much more to this story than anyone cares to report, most of all UK.
Actualtruth seems to think there is a World Wide conspiracy against SAE.
What do you expect when the current and previous SAE President at UK have multiple criminal convictions….including Assault and Drunk Driving
Joe and SAE will have to pay up now in the Civil case they have pending for an Assault that happened at the house
These guys have more arrests than the Cincy Bengals!! Now that’s an accomplishment
Why did SAE see fit to have Presidents with Criminal records??? Seems like they’d want someone for younger members to look up to.
Holy Crap!!! This story is on the National News!!! Dr. Todd and the UK administration has to be loving this
Good thing SAE has Lawyers on retainer.
Joe’s Judge Daddy had no comment on this story. After he stuck his neck out for Joe in his last Assault trial I don’t blame him. I’d be embarrassed too if my son continues to get arrested and is in court with Judge friends of mine.
Someone should of told them not to smile in their Mugshots. They were just arrested for several Felonies and see fit to smile?? Wow!!
Duh…..they were smiling because they were Drunk
Don’t forget to mention the DUI conviction the current SAE President has
OMG!!!! SAE’s President got a DUI a year ago….who cares
ActualTruth, I understand why you are upset and thinking everyone is against SAE, but this situation is terrible. Whether or not the kernal, police, and newspaper are fabricating the story, the bottom line still remains: A kid was wrapped in toilet paper and lit on fire. Do you think this is not a big deal? Are you ok with this happening in your fraternity? You may think it is unfair, but this is how the world works. It is rare that 100% of the members are at fault when an organization gets punished for something. BUT, this happened at your fraternity house by a member. If I were you, I would be grateful that they are letting you back in 2011. Most universities would not bat an eye about kicking you all off for good.
Was the guy that was lit on fire a pledge or member??
This story really has legs! Having graduated from UK 40 years ago, I cannot testify to the current reputation of SAE. In the late 60′s, they were one of the elites. (My own fraternity is no longer there, BTW). As for rich alumns, these donors buy immunity on any college campus. But for SAE’s now crying in their beer, take note that they should blame not just the university, the fire marshal, or outraged fellow students for their woes. In fact, their chapter has been suspended by none of these, but by their own national government. In today’s environment, a national fraternity cannot let a local ruin its reputation, notwithstanding how much money the alumns might have. Displaced SAEs suck it up! Just admit you made a bad choice of brothers.
I mean you cant just mess with girls and be happy? I mess with one of the dudes GF’s behind his back, because they just arent trustworthy guys I guess haha. Brothers just go to the local Days Inn, you can party in there.
These imbeciles should be kicked off campus. When I was at UK in the Sixties, the idiots were in Sigma Nu. I am beginning to question the idea of fraternities in general.
I was Head Resident Advisor for the dorm which held the UK football team for two years. They were a load, but would never do anything this stupid.
The football players in the dorm lit a bulletin board not too long ago, IIRC.
I usually feel sorry for the Kernel writers who have to cover the stupid antics of the fraternities. Quit bashing the paper for doing their job.
It does seem like SAE gets away with more than other frats. I don’t have anything against them, just an observation.
Let’s not forget, BOTH of these guys have been arrested and convicted before. It’s not like we’re talking about a couple innocent little boys
Poor Daddy is going to have to pay in the Civil case now Joe:(
Wasn’t Mckinley just arrested for Assault?? Guess he didn’t learn his lesson
Yes he was recently arrested! And so was Sean!! What’s your point?
The funny thing is that if this happened to any other frat, their whole chapter would have been revoked for good. SAE has special push on campus. Not to mention it is a representation of the whole frat. What about all the drugs in the house? If any parent lets them pledge after multiple incidents that SAE has then thats a joke.
If some unidentified person rudely woke me up in the middle of the night, I would be less than happy about it. I might not immediately try to fight them, but nevertheless I would not be too happy about it. Let’s try to keep our minds open.
Im pleased that the kernel is starting to get it after a few tries. we just need to sit and wait this one out. SAE members it disgusts me that you seem to think you were treated unfairly when your nationals are the ones coming down on you because your chapter is an embarrassment to SAE. I believe the deans will let them back on campus shortly but they will have fun justifying it. And if its before Sig Ep comes back then something is very wrong.
Rudely woke him up? hahahaha….the building was being evacuated….and someone was just lit on fire. He must of been really drunk if he could sleep through all that. With Joe’s criminal record this doesn’t surprise me a bit.
I’m sure the National SAE leaders are happy to learn that both the current and previous President of SAE at UK have criminal convictions. Including DUI, Assault and many other offenses
Don’t forget about Sean who was arrested in this incident for the 3 Felonies. He was just arrested at the SAE house a couple months ago
Sig Ep was kicked off for hazing. SAE is only being punished for fire violations. Big defference there.
Bottom line is: Joe and Sean have been convicted of crimes that occured previously at the SAE house. Maybe we see a pattern here….
Don’t know which story is more funny…this…or the guy who was robbed while buying drugs behind Cooperstown…lol
there is a big difference there but as i remember SAE was in trouble for hazing when a kid almost died from being forced to drink and when he informed others of being hazed the university began an investigation. the deans decided that forcing someone to drink was not hazing but a simple alcohol vilation. hmmmmmmmmmmm
and another note. how many violations is SAE allowed. i personally know that other greek organizations have been threatened to be kicked off campus for GOOD after two minor violations and i believe this has gone way beyond the second strike for them.
he was arrested last time because he got upset that someone was making fun of the thing underwear he was wearing outdoors quote “McKinley staggered out of the SAE house wearing only thong underwear and pummeled him after one of Pearce’s friends asked McKinley why he was dressed as he was” he got convicted for assault. you cant make this shit up.
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/09/1172942/uk-fire-marshal-recommends-fraternity.html
Wonder if this will affect the Civil lawsuit against Joe Mckinley and SAE from a previous assault at the SAE house???
I’d punch the Cop too if I was caught in bed with a fellow member of the fraternity.
Was he wearing the Thong when he was arrested this time?