Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity has a decade-long tradition regarding the sororities at NIU.

Every year, when the new sorority members receive and sign bids to pledge to respective chapters, they can count on being bombarded with water balloons. But this year, a sorority member got a black eye as a result of this tradition and reported the incident to the Office of Judicial Affairs.

Adam Neubauer, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, was summoned by Larry Bolles, director of the Judicial Affairs office, to write a formal apology to the sororities of NIU.

“This tradition isn’t a serious thing at all,” Neubauer said. “But a girl got angry and reported it to Dr. Bolles. The injury encompasses all the reasons for our apology. Hopefully she reads the letter and is able to accept our apology.”

Because this tradition is long-standing, sororities know what to expect and many warn new members about it.

“I kind of expected something like that to happen,” said Madeline Sirmbardis, sophomore English major and member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. “I just took it as it was. I wasn’t angry.”

Michele Ramirez, a freshman communication major and fellow Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority member, said the new pledges were warned about the tradition.

“When they were taking us around Greek Row, someone just said ‘Oh watch out, the boys are going to start throwing water balloons,'” she said. “It wasn’t a big deal, it’s just something that happens.”

Freshman nursing major Katie Edney pledged Alpha Delta Pi this year and also experienced a water balloon hit.

“I just thought it was funny,” Edney said. “A couple of the girls I was with got hit, but they just said [bad words] and were laughing too.”

Bolles said he only has been aware of this tradition’s existence for the last five years, and while there have been informal complaints, this incident was the first official complaint registered with his office.

“This tradition is one that the university does not approve of, and it will get you into a lot of trouble in the Judicial Affairs Office,” Bolles said. “When you throw things, you don’t know where it’s going to hit on a human being. We’re trying to change a lot of traditions involving drinking and partying and fighting to more positive kinds of traditions.”

“Traditions should be a guide, not a deluder,” Neubauer said in his apology letter. Sigma Phi Epsilon is discontinuing this tradition in the hope of avoiding future conflicts.