Shutterstock
The Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Northern Colorado has been suspended at the university for seven years.
According to a statement from University of Northern Colorado Dean of Student Gardiner Tucker, the Sigma Chi fraternity was found guilty of violating multiple university code of conduct policies.
An investigation by the university found that the Sigma Chi fraternity was guilty of violations that included sexual harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, use/possession of controlled substances and use/possession of alcohol by underage persons.
The university says that the investigation, which began in April 2018, was the result of multiple complaints involving the fraternity received by the UNC Dean of Students Office.
In addition to their suspension, the chapter’s affiliation with the national Sigma Chi organization was also revoked.
The suspension of Sigma Chi at University of Northern Colorado 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.
