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The University of Alabama has closed the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity for two years after multiple code of conduct violations.
According to an announcement made by the fraternity’s national headquarters on Friday, June 1, the violations are related to alcohol, risk management, and new member education.
In order to return to campus during the Fall of 2020, the fraternity must implement written education programs, maintain a GPA at or above the men’s average at the University of Alabama, hire a full-time house director to live in the chapter house, and maintain a trained collegiate chapter advisory board consisting primarily of people who live within reasonable commuting distance to campus.
Fraternity members will be eligible to return to the house for fall 2021 upon completion of the redevelopment expectations.
The national Delta Sigma Phi organization and the University of Alabama released a joint statement:
“Delta Sigma Phi headquarters, alumni volunteers and the University of Alabama worked to remedy these concerns; however, it was determined that maintaining the chapter in its current status would not be advisable, and that it is in the best interest of the Beta Kappa Chapter to temporarily halt operations,” the fraternity’s statement read.
This is the latest major fraternity or sorority suspension or closure in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State and Penn State have all suspended fraternities in the wake of hazing and alcohol deaths.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who were shut down for hazing and the Lamda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas which has been accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of women without their permission.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
