UT Arlington SigEp Chapter Gets Reduced Suspension

UT Arlington fraternity now faces one year suspension | Arlington | News from Fort Worth...:

BY DIANE SMITH dianesmith@star-telegram.com

DIANE SMITH STAR-TELEGRAM

The Sigma Phi Epsilon house at UTA will be vacant from 

Dec. 31 through Aug. 31, 2014, according to its suspension.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/27/5374564/ut-arlington-fraternity-now-faces.html#storylink=cpy

ARLINGTON — The suspension for the University of Texas at Arlington chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has been reduced to one year in connection with providing alcohol to minors as young as 14.

The fraternity originally faced a three-year suspension, but that punishment was changed after an appeal.

A Nov. 19 final outcome letter to the fraternity states: “… the chapter is lucky more serious outcomes did not result from these events.”

The letter, signed by UTA assistant professor Paul Krawietz, adds, “I feel the supporting evidence does not warrant suspension for three years.”

Krawietz, the appointed hearing officer, could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.

Christofer Slocum, president of the fraternity, could not be reached for comment.

Sigma Phi Epsilon is accused of selling mixed drinks to underage people at a “Glow Party” that was part of the fraternity’s Aug. 23-Sept. 7 Bid Day activities. Bid Day, when students are accepted into fraternities and sororities, was Sept. 7.

The fraternity is accused of allowing seven to 10 teens ages 14 to 18 into a party at the frat house, where they consumed alcohol with the fraternity’s members. Fraternity members are also accused of drinking alcohol in the morning in common areas before and after new member orientation.

Under the current disciplinary sanctions, Sigma Phi Epsilon will be on suspension through Aug. 31, 2014 and all members living at the fraternity house must be out before Dec. 31. No one will be allowed to live in the house, at 705 S. Davis Dr., until Sept. 1, 2014, according to the outcome letter.

Additional disciplinary actions include:

• No social activities from Sept. 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015.

• Members must attend training, which focuses on college life responsibilities with regard to alcohol, drugs and sexual violence.

• Members must attend City of Arlington minor in possession course by Jan. 31.

• The chapter must host two community alcohol awareness events.

• Ten hours of community service per member must be completed by Jan. 31.

After an investigation, UTA also put three other fraternities — Alpha Tau Omega, Sigma Chi and Pi Kappa Alpha — on probation until May 31 for underage drinking and unregistered parties surrounding Bid Day activities. A fifth fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, was put on interim suspension because of allegations of hazing and early acceptance of a pledge.

Sigma Chi initially appealed its suspension but has since withdrawn its appeal, said Kristin Sullivan, spokeswoman for UTA.

UT Arlington police are still investigating two criminal cases involving allegations of sexual assault, on Aug. 23 and Sept. 7, at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house, but those investigations are separate from the student conduct investigations.

Police have stated in both cases that the suspect was known to the victim. No further information has been released.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/27/5374564/ut-arlington-fraternity-now-faces.html#storylink=cpy

SigEp Fraternity receives 3-year suspension as UTA ends investigations

SigEp at UT Arlington has received a 3-year suspension. Anything I add would be snarky so I'll just hope an appeal is successful.

Fraternity receives 3-year suspension as UTA ends investigations - The Shorthorn : Campus:

One fraternity is suspended from UTA for three years, three others are on probation until the end of May and another is no longer on interim suspension following investigations into reports of misconduct, according to a UTA spokeswoman.

The fraternities – Sigma Phi Epsilon, Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi and Alpha Tau Omega – were placed on interim suspensions in September related to activities on fraternity Bid Day on Sept. 7, according to university officials.

The five fraternities were notified the investigations were concluded, university spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan said in an email Oct. 25.

Following the investigations, Sigma Phi Epsilon has been suspended from the university for three years and may not participate in chapter activities, Sullivan said in the email.

“The organization may petition in January 2017 to establish an active chapter at UT Arlington as of June 1, 2017,” the email stated.

Three other fraternities, Alpha Tau Omega, Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Chi, are on probation through May 31, 2014.

During probation, the fraternities are prohibited from hosting social events or participating in fraternity events where alcohol is present.

The fraternities can appeal and request a formal hearing, Sullivan said in the email.

Pi Kappa Phi is no longer on interim suspension, according to the email. However, the university found that the chapter offered early bids and referred it to the Interfraternity Council, according to the email.

The investigations began sometime after Bid Day in September, Sullivan previously said.
Sigma Phi Epsilon and Pi Kappa Phi were first issued interim suspensions “related to unregistered parties and possible use of alcohol by individuals under the age of 21,” according to the university.

Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi and Alpha Tau Omega were investigated in connection with underage alcohol use.

Additionally, Alpha Tau Omega was investigated in connection with “possible use of illegal drugs,” according to a previous university statement.

Sigma Phi Epsilon president Christofer Slocum did not immediately return calls from The Shorthorn. In a text message, he said the fraternity plans to challenge the sanctions "by proceeding to a trial."

In a previous article, Slocum denied the fraternity hosted an unregistered party Sept . 7. Instead, he said some fraternity members attended a party at the home of an alumnus who was celebrating a new job.

“I have no control over what a graduate of UTA does at his residence,” Slocum said at the time.

Sigma Chi president Aaron Hobbs said his fraternity thinks the sanctions are heavier than what it expected and will likely appeal.

The Shorthorn is attempting to reach Alpha Tau Omega, Pi Kappa Alpha and Pi Kappa Phi presidents for comment.

@KristaMTorralva
krista.torralva@mavs.uta.edu

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