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Western Kentucky University has suspended the Sigma Chi fraternity due to multiple alcohol-related code of conduct violations. The fraternity has been suspended until March 2019 and has been subsequently moved from Western Kentucky University Homecoming festivities.
According to Charley Pride, the Director of Student Affairs at WKU, Sigma Chi was placed on probation for two separate violations. The first violation was having alcohol in the chapter house and the second violation was hosting a function and providing alcohol to underage guests.
Due to the suspension, Sigma Chi has been removed from Homecoming, cannot have functions and will have no alcohol exemptions for alumni events in Spring 2019.
In addition to the suspension that lasts until March 1, 2019, the fraternity will be in a probation period until May 15, 2019.
via WKU Herald:
Sigma Chi adviser Victor Felts said in an email the Zeta Mu chapter was suspended nationally for violating the alcohol policy. He said once national headquarters found out about the violations, immediate action was taken and they worked with WKU.
Felts said Sigma Chi is suspended until March 1, 2019.
With the suspension, Felts said the fraternity will not be able to hold social events, recruit new members or participate in campus intramural activities. Additionally members of the fraternity will be reviewed on their commitment to upholding fraternity values and adherence to policies.
“The members of the Zeta Mu chapter have a great love for the fraternity and an affection for the values of the fraternity,” Felts said. “It is my hope that, through this suspension and educational programming regarding risk prevention, the members will also gain an appreciation for the policies that are in place to protect them.”
Sigma Chi Zeta Mu president, Nick Shoutla declined to comment.
The suspension of Sigma Chi at Western Kentucky University is the latest major fraternity or sorority lawsuit, investigation, suspension or closure in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State University, 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 was shut down for hazing and the Lambda 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, West Virginia University, and Penn State University have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
