The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity has left the Greek Council, citing differences in values as the main cause of the split.
Shane Russell, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said, "We decided to disassociate ourselves from the council so we could disassociate from other frats."
Russell said according to a survey given on campus, 37 percent of Greeks - fraternity and sorority members - have provided alcohol to a minor and 82.9 percent of students who belong to a fraternity say drinking is a main part of frat life. In addition, 17 percent of Greeks admit they have been taken advantage of sexually while under the influence of alcohol.
Russell said things like this are why Sigma Phi Epsilon wants to cultivate an image different than other fraternities. He said participating in the council simply wasn't beneficial to the fraternity.
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Cameron Gordon, president of the Greek Council, said Sigma Phi Epsilon's withdrawal from the council was not voluntary, contrary to Russell's statement. He said they had violated rules laid out in the council's constitution, so the council voted to give them a chance to reconcile before voting them off. He said Sigma Phi Epsilon had been on probationary status as part of a routine process before a fraternity or sorority is accepted fully on to the council.
Two of the rules broken involved communication. Sigma Phi Epsilon had not been in communication with the university or the Greek adviser and Russell missed one of the council's mandatory meetings, Gordon said.
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"We sent them a letter two weeks ago that outlined the by-laws broken. It came down to 'we kick you off or you resign,'" she said. The letter gave the fraternity two weeks to reconcile. Russell said he sent the council a formal resignation letter a week and a half ago.
One of the biggest problems the council had with Sigma Phi Epsilon was a section of their recruitment fliers, which Gordon said was slanderous to other fraternities.
"They basically painted the picture that if you're going to join a frat, join theirs, because if you join another frat you will be promoting drugs and alcohol," he said.
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Russell said Sigma Phi Epsilon encourages its members to become sound in mind and body. He said it goes back to an ancient Greek philosophy that those who are balanced in those two areas have more harmonious lives. They call it the "Balanced Man" program. Part of becoming sound in body in the Balanced Man program is not using drugs or alcohol. Because of this philosophy, Sigma Phi Epsilon is completely dry.
In the immortal words of Groucho Marx: "I won't be a member of any club that will let people like me join!"
Sig Eps leave the Greek Council - Campus News (free subscr. reqd.)
