Denison University fraternity suspended and charter revoked

Aaaaannnnd... another chapter bites the dust. Really folks, this is getting old. Where are the undergrads curing cancer and such?

Denison University fraternity suspended and charter revoked | The Newark Advocate | newarkadvocate.com:

Denison University suspended a fraternity for five years earlier this year, based on findings it was involved with hazing last school year. However, the chapter’s national organization decided shortly thereafter to withdraw its charter at Denison.

The Ohio Tau Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was suspended for five years, through the 2018 academic year, as a result of a findings regarding “hazing and risk management concerns” during the last academic year, according to the Denison University website.

The chapter’s “conduct history, and inability to more significantly improve its behavior” were also cited as factors in the suspension.

But, in a statement from the fraternity’s national office, Chief Executive Officer Brian C. Warren Jr. said the fraternity’s national board of directors withdrew the chapter’s charter. The action was taken by the fraternity’s national board of directors on July 31.

“SigEp strives to be a valued partner in higher education, and we can only do that when we provide an experience that supports the mission of our host institution,” Warren’s statement said.

“SigEp supports Denison’s commitment to combat hazing behavior across all student organizations on their campus, and we echo the concern about the allegations made against our own chapter. If allegations like these are made against any SigEp chapter, all measures are taken to investigate and restore a safe and meaningful experience.”

Warren’s statement added, “We attempted multiple times to work with Denison’s administration and our chapter. However, after seeing no improvement, Denison’s administration and SigEp were forced to pursue suspension and charter revocation.”

Neither Denison nor the fraternity commented on the details of the hazing incident. There were no student injuries associated with this chapter or another fraternity’s actions that led to probation this year, but both involved alcohol, said Laurel Kennedy, vice president of student development.

Kennedy said the definition of hazing, found in Denison’s student Code of Conduct, includes actions or situations created that result in potential mental or physical injury, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule of prospective members — involving the use of alcohol, paddling, creation of fatigue, quests and/or degrading or humiliating games and activities.

The Mu Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, is on disciplinary probation, the Denison website indicated, due to activity last school year. Although the website did not specify the reason for the probation, the university is requiring the chapter to focus on activities that do not involve alcohol and to educate the campus on hazing during this school year.

During the period of Disciplinary Probation, Mu Chapter is also asked to focus on building stronger internal operations and officers through participation in international Sigma Chi trainings and becoming a leading example of a values-based organization at Denisonand a positive contributor to the community.

Both actions, handled by the university’s Office of Student Values in conjunction with the Campus Leadership and Involvement office, took place in June this year.

Kennedy said there are six traditional fraternities and five traditional sororities on campus at this time.

The Ohio Tau Chapter is the second to be suspended in two years at Denison, according to the DU website. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Pi Gamma Chapter was suspended in July 2012 for two years, also due to hazing.

Fourth Rape Reported at University of Texas at Arlington

Fourth Rape Reported at University of Texas at Arlington | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth:

Less than a month into the fall semester, University of Texas at Arlington police are investigating four sexual assaults, including three at a fraternity house.

The latest incident was reported to police on Saturday at the Life Science building in the heart of campus.

Police have released few details about the attack, but it is not believed to be related to three sexual assaults reported in late August and early September. Those incidents -- Aug. 23, Aug. 24 and Sept. 7 -- reportedly occurred at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house.

The fraternity's national office said in a statement Tuesday that it has ordered the UTA chapter "to cease and desist operations." The national fraternity said it is assisting in the investigation and that a representative from its office visited with UTA administration Tuesday.

The national office also said it would "bring additional sanctions against any member whose conduct is determined to be inconsistent with the fraternity's values or Texas state law."

UTA issued an interim suspension to a male student in connection with the Sept. 7 report. The university also placed five fraternity chapters on interim suspension while it investigates allegations of alcohol abuse by students younger than 21 and other violations of university policies and procedures.

The university investigations are separate from the police investigations into the sexual assault allegations, UTA spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan said.

Students said they were shocked to hear that a fourth sexual assault had been reported.

"It kind of makes you wonder what happened, if it could have been avoided, what the university can do to prevent those kind of things," senior Helen Moyo said.

Some students said they had not heard about the most recent attack.

"That's really unsettling and kind of terrifying," Moyo said.

Sophomore Hannah Summers said it is making her think about what she does to be safe.

"I guess I'll make sure to be more careful, like where I park and if I park under a light where it's darker," Summers said.

In an email, Sullivan said that UTA is committed to ensuring a healthy, safe and secure environment.

"In addition to the investigations, the university is conducting a broad assessment of its policies, operations and compliance related to Greek organizations," she said.

NBC 5's Mola Lenghi contributed to this report.

'via Blog this'