The University’s chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity is under interim suspension as of Feb. 25 according to Marsh Pattie, associate vice president for student affairs. Pattie confirmed Friday that the chapter is pending an investigation due to hazing allegations.
According to the University’s Student Affairs website, upon receiving a report of hazing, Student Affairs staff first meets with any relevant individuals to obtain necessary information. The outlined procedure further states that “protective measures” may be enacted at any time throughout the process. These include interim suspension of an organization's agreement with the University, establishment of no-contact directives — a measure taken to ensure a student has no direct or indirect contact with another student involved in the hazing report — and interim suspension of specific students.
A hazing evaluation panel — which is chaired by the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs responsible for Policy, Accountability and Critical Events — will then convene to decide if the hazing report is actionable, meaning the report contains sufficient information to conclude hazing has occurred, and if there is a threat to health or safety. The final step of the process is for the panel chair to conduct a formal investigation given a deemed threat to health or safety. During an investigation, investigators attempt to speak with the organization's president and other witnesses or parties who may be able to respond to the allegations.
The Student Affairs website explains that an investigation aims to be complete within 45 days and if the panel concludes that hazing has occurred, the case is referred to the University Judiciary Committee for resolution. The student organization will remain under interim suspension “pending the outcome” of UJC adjudication, and under-suspension organizations cannot hold recruitment or intake activities, social functions meetings and philanthropy or service events.
Pattie said that at the moment, there are no fraternities facing UJC charges. He additionally noted there are no other fraternities besides Sigma Nu currently under interim suspension but that there are four fraternities terminated — meaning those organizations have lost their Fraternal Organization Agreement with the University.
The terminated fraternities include Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta. All four of these organizations’ agreements with the University were terminated following confirmed hazing incidents.
Pattie said he could not comment further on Sigma Nu’s allegations.
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