Shutterstock
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the University of Louisiana has been suspended due to allegations of hazing.
According to the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the university’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter was found guilty of hazing.
As a result, University of Lousiana officials placed the fraternity under a four-year disciplinary suspension, meaning they cannot return to campus until 2022.
Dean of Students Margarita Perez said that while a temporary suspension temporarily restricts the fraternity’s ability to operate on campus, the suspension they’re facing removes them from campus entirely for four years. Perez says the fraternity may appeal the decision.
“They don’t exist on our campus for four years. They have no operations on our campus,” Dean of Students Perez said.
via The Vermilion:
According to documents released by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities placed additional sanctions on Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, including loss of privileges and mandatory “Alcohol Awareness and Decision Making” sessions with the Department of Counseling and Testing.
The documents also include an email sent Sept. 27 from Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Brandon Palmore to Assistant Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Brandon Turner regarding allegations against Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. They also included allegations that new members were locked in a small room and couldn’t look active members in the eye.
According to the same report, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities found Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity refused to comply with the investigation.
In addition to the suspension of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, UL’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities is investigating the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Sigma Chi fraternity for hazing allegations.
The suspension of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the investigation of Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Chi at the Univesity of Louisiana is the latest major Greek life suspension, expulsion, or overhaul 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 for various reasons.
Fraternities have been suspended or expelled across the nation as Greek life organizations and universities attempt to grapple with the pitfalls of hazing, alcohol and drug abuse, and sexual assault.
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 or expelled fraternities for various reasons.