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Sigma Chi suspended by Ole Miss for alcohol violation

Sigma Chi suspended by Ole Miss for alcohol violation

(WMC-TV) - The Sigma Chi Fraternity at Ole Miss was suspended from the campus through the fall 2013 semester for violation of the university's alcohol policy.

The fraternity was already on a two-strike probation for a previous violation in 2012. The fraternity was found guilty of several other violations including illegal possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct, disregard for university authority and failure to follow the guidelines for registration of activities found in the Student Organization Handbook.

“The University’s two-strike policy for students and organizations is flawed and needs to be changed as it delivers major punishment for minor offenses. A first strike sets up the opportunity to fail for the second,” said Eta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity chapter advisor Major Geoffrey Yoste in a press release.

Ole Miss fraternity houses without sprinkler systems

Ole Miss fraternity houses without sprinkler systems

It's been more than eight years since a fraternity house fire killed three University of Mississippi students.

In 2004 the State College Board required sprinkler systems in all public higher education residence halls.

Only Mississippi State University has met that requirement on campus.

There are seven fraternity houses at Ole Miss that remain without sprinkler systems.

Ole Miss students to be fined for smoking on campus

Ole Miss officials banned all smoking on university property last August.

The smoke-free policy was phased in during the fall semester with warning-only citations.

The no-smoking policy follows years of campus officials limiting smoking to certain areas on campus.

When students return to campus this month, fines will be handed out if they're caught smoking on campus.

Here's a link with the exact policy from the University of Mississippi website.

There's also a map that shows all the smoke free universities across the country, click here to see it.

There's even a video from the student health center about how to quit, you can see it above. 

Hacker gains access to MSU student accounts

Hacker gains access to MSU student accounts

Mississippi State officials are searching for campus computer hackers.

School officials said a Brazilian hacker claimed to access the user names, actual names, and passwords for more than 900 students.

A preliminary investigation found no secure information was lost.

As a precaution MSU is telling users to change their account passwords.

Mississippi lawmakers to debate over charter schools

Mississippi lawmakers to debate over charter schools

Mississippi lawmakers also begin their session Tuesday and a debate over charter schools.

Governor Phil Bryant and Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves consider charter schools an option worth trying in areas where public schools are failing.

The Parents' Campaign, a grass roots group of public education advocates, disagree.

They say it's an effort to push a for-profit agenda rather than enact what has been proven to advance student achievement.

MS Department of Education reviewing safety policies

MS Department of Education reviewing safety policies

The Mississippi Department of Education is reviewing its safety and training policies at schools across the state.

It's a response to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.

State Education leaders are conducting visits at schools to ensure compliance with existing policies.

The department will help local school districts with training and technical assistance.

Girl Scouts send care boxes to soldiers

Girl Scouts send care boxes to soldiers

DeSoto County soldiers will have some extra care this holiday thanks to some area Girl Scouts from Olive Branch.

The girls sent 125 Christmas Care boxes to deployed service men and women from DeSoto County.

Olive Branch Girl Scout Junior Troop 10528 started collecting items at Olive Branch Intermediate School.

After a contest, the students in Ms. Montgomery’s class raised more than 200 items to send off to the soldiers.

Family and friends also contributed to the efforts with donations.