U. of Wyoming: Temporary Suspension of Sigma Nu Chapter (Alleged Alcohol Violations)
 

The Sigma Nu chapter at Wyoming is temporarily suspended and temporarily de-recognized for alleged alcohol-related violations. The university’s press release:

http://www.uwyo.edu/news/showrelease.asp?id=17744

Brief excerpts from the press release:

Oct. 4, 2007 -- The University of Wyoming has issued a temporary suspension of all activities of Sigma Nu fraternity and has temporarily revoked Sigma Nu's status as a UW Recognized Student Organization, pending university disciplinary proceedings.

These actions are in response to evidence that members of the fraternity engaged in activities that violated the Student Code of Conduct by endangering the health and well-being of UW students. The evidence indicates that several UW students were dangerously intoxicated at a fraternity event.

The press release quotes the dean of students as saying, “ . . . members of our Greek community, upon learning of these activities, reported the behavior to us."

The October 6, 2007 online issue of the Jackson Hole paper reports varied reactions to the suspension and gives a few more details about what the university and Sigma Nu national are doing:

http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/a...6c0003420c.txt

I'm extremely surprised, but pleasantly so, that at least the school allows alcohol at its functions. It shows it's willingness to treat students as adults.

Sorry this had to happen. But these things are life lessons. If the investigations and consequences are held openly, students can realize that actions have consequences, and that's an important learning experience.

In fact, members of our Greek community, upon learning of these activities, reported the behavior to us."

Haha, yeah, I bet they did. Stupid thing to do in my opinion. You just create an atmosphere where every frat is going to be watching and willing to rat each other out. Hurts the whole greek community there.

It could also create an atmosphere where the university administration has some degree of trust in Greek Life.

I agree with you DA. Should one do the Adult thing and pont out the bad egg before you get lumped in with it or do you do the kid thing and play along with it?
Doing the adult thing would build up the trust factor a bit more.

While I don't think it's bad for one greek organization to report another, I do hope that there is more evidence than someone saying "There were a bunch of really drunk guys at ABC last night." I could see that becoming a recipe for disaster if rival fraternities decided to report things and sanctions are made without any other evidence.

Update: October 17, 2007 News Release

The university has issued a press release the includes the text of an appeal from their IFC and Panhellenic asking people not to prejudge Sigma Nu. The text encourages everyone to wait for the results of the investigation.

The press release:
http://www.uwyo.edu/news/showrelease.asp?id=18223

Came across this while doing a search on another matter:
Penalty against fraternity shocks some at UW

http://www.casperstartribune.net/art...6c0003420c.txt

Update December 20, 2007: Wyoming Suspends Sigma Nu for One Year

The Casper WY paper reports in an article:

http://www.casperstartribune.net/art.../d8tla1r80.txt

Brief excerpts from much longer article:

The University of Wyoming has suspended a campus fraternity until January 2009 . . . .

Representatives of UW, the local Sigma Nu chapter, Sigma Nu's national organization and the private corporation that owns the fraternity house signed an agreement last week that specifies the Sigma Nu fraternity is forbidden from participating in UW events over the coming year. The fraternity must follow a strict disciplinary program to get reinstated as a campus organization. . . .

Under the agreement, a Sigma Nu alumni board must be created to manage the operations of the fraternity house in 2008 and to implement a plan for re-establishment of the chapter. The fraternity also must hire a "house mentor" to live at the house.

Sigma Nu members are also required to participate in alcohol education programs and will host programs for other campus Greek organizations. . . .

Would seems, from what I have read, that your own National determined that it was serious.
Care to state your point(s) or rather counter-points?

Any time a chapter violates the student code of conduct wherever they may be, it's "serious." Such incidents can have an effect on whether insurance covers an incident. The fact that such events happen shows that a chapter is an insurance risk.

To analogize, if I'm clocked going 6 miles per hour over the speed limit, although the infraction isn't that big a deal and I wasn't threatening anyone's safety, if my insurance company catches wind of it, my rates are going up because according to their statistics, I'm more of a risk.

True Kevin. I agree with both that and you.

However I still would like to hear Mr 3's counter-points.

Anytime one fraternity turns in another, you really need to get together and come to some agreements. It does nothing but hurt greek life as a whole.

It wasn't really the nationals, it was the university officials. Those who talk so low of us don't even know us. I'd ask of them, just spend one day in our house. They act as though we are unstable or something... We're by far the best maintained fraternity on campus. We were just put in a sticky situation.