NEWS

Purdue's Sigma Phi Epsilon suspended until 2020

Meghan Holden
Journal & Courier
The Purdue chapter house of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The Purdue University chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon is suspended until fall 2020 for violations of alcohol, hazing and unregistered functions.

A Purdue Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities investigation found the fraternity violated several Interfraternity Council and university policies and wasn't compliant with a four-year probation that began in 2013 that stemmed from incidents involving illegal drugs, according to a Tuesday university press release.

Someone reported to the university in late January that inappropriate behavior allegedly occurred at the fraternity at the end of the fall semester, said Jeffery Stefancic, associate dean of students in the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

The chapter provided alcohol to minors and some members hazed others in the organization with behaviors related to servitude, he said. He wasn't aware of any criminal charges or investigations related to the incidents.

The Purdue Community Standards Board originally recommended the chapter's permanent removal from campus, wrote Brian Rodell, president of an Indiana Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni group, in a March 10 post on the "Sigma Phi Epsilon, Indiana Alpha" Facebook page.

Stefancic said he modified that recommendation, noting that not giving the fraternity the possibility to return "seemed unduly harsh."

"This decision from the University comes after much discussion and collaboration with the University and National Fraternity, however, the reality is that times have changed and tolerance for misbehavior is much lower than in years past," the Facebook post read.

The Journal & Courier contacted Rodell, but the request was directed to the fraternity's national headquarters, who didn't respond Tuesday to an interview request.

In 2013, the chapter was put on probation for violations, including making alcohol available to minors, hazing and taking lewd photographs with props.

An Office of the Dean of Students investigation also found that three members were using the chapter's text messaging system to make prescription drugs available, according to a November 2013 Purdue press release.

As part of its probation, the chapter was prohibited from having alcohol at its chapter house or on any chapter property and was instructed not to sponsor or co-sponsor any function where alcohol is served.

The suspension was affirmed by the national organization and the Purdue Student Organization Community Standards Board in consultation with the Interfraternity Council and the Office of Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life, Tuesday's press release said.

The chapter house's 14 residents are allowed to live in the house until the end of the spring semester.

Related: