Sigma Phi Epsilon closes chapter at University of Mississippi

Hot off the press from SigEp HQ. You never know what you will find when you start to look. Sometimes the reason you started looking is less trouble that what you find hiding under the surface.

Sigma Phi Epsilon closes chapter at University of Mississippi

After extensive deliberation and a thorough review of chapter activities, the decision has been made by the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Board of Directors to close the chapter at the University of Mississippi.

"Sigma Phi Epsilon is committed to being a different kind of fraternity – one that recognizes the importance of the out-of-classroom experience and is committed to making that experience the safest and most empowering part of a college male’s life,” said SigEp CEO Brian Warren. “Though it’s always painful to close a chapter, these students’ actions clearly illustrate a determination to perpetuate an experience based on risky and unconstructive behavior. In these cases, we have no choice but to close the chapter and return to campus at a later date.”

The decision is not a result of any individual incident, but a response to newly discovered, ongoing behavior that includes incidents of hazing, underage drinking, alcohol abuse, and failure to comply with the university and fraternity’s codes of conduct.

Though the incident involving the James Meredith statue several months ago did not directly result in the chapter’s closure, it did mark the beginning of an intensified period of review.

“Over the past several years we've worked with our chapter at the University of Mississippi to enhance the quality of their program,” said Warren. “Following the James Meredith incident two months ago, we began a more formal and comprehensive review process that revealed this new and disappointing information.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon is currently working with the University of Mississippi to discuss a return date to campus.

View the press release.

'via Blog this'

UF’s Sig Ep Chapter Closed for “Numerous Violations”

Florida Alpha has been closed. Sad to see that old and large chapters have such a difficult time adapting to the current times. Even more upsetting is that this is current Grand President Bert Harris' home chapter. That must have been a tough decision. More to the point, it shows how serious SigEp is about living our values in the 21st century.

KnightNews.com » UF’s Sig Ep Chapter Closed for “Numerous Violations”

UF’s Sig Ep Chapter Closed for “Numerous Violations”
BEYOND UCF, NEWS, UCF GREEK LIFE — BY JACOB SADOWSKY ON DECEMBER 10, 2012 AT 5:37 PM
 

Sigma Phi Epsilon of the University of Florida is no more.

Sig Ep’s Board of Directors has withdrawn the charter of the Florida Alpha Chapter of Sig Ep at UF for several reasons relating to conduct issues.

The chapter is currently being investigated by UF for numerous violations of the University’s code of conduct.

“When the cultural issues within a chapter conflict with our values and are too deeply rooted to effect change, we have no other option but to withdraw the chapter’s charter,” a statement from the Sig Ep Fraternity said.

The chapter has existed at the school since 1925.

Kappa Sig Shut Diown at Alabama

UA chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity shut down

By Adam Jones

One of the oldest fraternities at the University of Alabama lost its charter after violating fraternity and UA conduct policies.

The fraternity, Kappa Sigma, appealed to its national organization, which withdrew the charter Sept. 8.

“It's very difficult to lose such an old chapter, but we know an appeal is processing and we'll see what happens,” said Mitchell Wilson, executive director of the of the national Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Neither Wilson or UA officials would detail what led to the charter withdrawal, but Wilson said there was a violation of conduct rules over alcohol and social functions.

The chapter was on probation after a hazing incident a year ago. Generally, Kappa Sigma's board of directors take into account recent discipline when making decisions, Wilson said.

“That's not something that's positive for the chapter,” he said.

UA staff notified Kappa Sigma of the chapter's violation after an investigation, Wilson said.

“UA is taking appropriate action regarding the violations of the code of student conduct,” said Cathy Andreen, UA spokeswoman.

Known as the Beta chapter within the national organization, Kappa Sigma has had a charter at UA since 1899, Wilson said. The chapter was founded at the university in 1870, making it the fourth oldest fraternity at UA and one of seven started in the 19th century, according to UA records.

Kappa Sigma had 103 members in fall 2009, the most recent data available, making it larger than the average among the 29 fraternities on campus in 2009.

Students living in the house can continue to live there under the supervision of a university-employed house director throughout the appeal process, Andreen said.

If the withdrawal of the charter is upheld by the national board of directors, a chapter is typically banned for two years. After that, the national organization comes to a campus to form what is called a colony that begins to take on new members and gain good standing with the university. It's rare for members of the fraternity before the charter withdrawal to be allowed back in, Wilson said.

Students living in the house can continue to live there under the supervision of a university-employed house director throughout the appeal process, Andreen said.

If the withdrawal of the charter is upheld by the national board of directors, a chapter is typically banned for two years. After that, the national organization comes to a campus to form what is called a colony that begins to take on new members and gain good standing with the university. It's rare for members of the fraternity before the charter withdrawal to be allowed back in, Wilson said.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20100914/NEWS/100919793/1007