[hoosier]

Sig Eps leave the Greek Council

By: Elizabeth Lawyer
Issue date: 11/7/05 Section: Campus News

The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity (UT State) has left the Greek Council, citing differences in values as the main cause of the split.
Shane Russell, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said, "We decided to disassociate ourselves from the council so we could disassociate from other frats."
Russell said according to a survey given on campus, 37 percent of Greeks - fraternity and sorority members - have provided alcohol to a minor and 82.9 percent of students who belong to a fraternity say drinking is a main part of frat life. In addition, 17 percent of Greeks admit they have been taken advantage of sexually while under the influence of alcohol.
Russell said things like this are why Sigma Phi Epsilon wants to cultivate an image different than other fraternities. He said participating in the council simply wasn't beneficial to the fraternity.
"When you're governed by the same body, you're given the bad reputation along with other fraternities," he said.
Cameron Gordon, president of the Greek Council, said Sigma Phi Epsilon's withdrawal from the council was not voluntary, contrary to Russell's statement. He said they had violated rules laid out in the council's constitution, so the council voted to give them a chance to reconcile before voting them off. He said Sigma Phi Epsilon had been on probationary status as part of a routine process before a fraternity or sorority is accepted fully on to the council.
Two of the rules broken involved communication. Sigma Phi Epsilon had not been in communication with the university or the Greek adviser and Russell missed one of the council's mandatory meetings, Gordon said.
"If the chapter president misses a council meeting, he or she will be notified that the fraternity or sorority is in danger of losing its good standing with the council," Gordon said.
Adrian Sample, co-president of Greek Council, said the fraternity received a written warning from the council.
"We sent them a letter two weeks ago that outlined the by-laws broken. It came down to 'we kick you off or you resign,'" she said. The letter gave the fraternity two weeks to reconcile. Russell said he sent the council a formal resignation letter a week and a half ago.
One of the biggest problems the council had with Sigma Phi Epsilon was a section of their recruitment fliers, which Gordon said was slanderous to other fraternities.
"They basically painted the picture that if you're going to join a frat, join theirs, because if you join another frat you will be promoting drugs and alcohol," he said.
Russell said the fliers were not intended to damage other fraternities' image.
"We made no direct reference to any other frat," Russell said. "We were not in any way trying to slander another frat. We simply stated our beliefs."
Gordon said he was the one who asked Sigma Phi Epsilon to remove the offensive section from their fliers.
"I did them a favor. I didn't go to the school, didn't call a school judiciary meeting on them - which we definitely had the right to do," he said.
None of USU's Greek houses permit drugs, although some are "wet," meaning they permit the use of alcohol. Sigma Phi Epsilon wanted to be distinguished as one that does not permit any alcohol consumption.
Russell said Sigma Phi Epsilon encourages its members to become sound in mind and body. He said it goes back to an ancient Greek philosophy that those who are balanced in those two areas have more harmonious lives. They call it the "Balanced Man" program. Part of becoming sound in body in the Balanced Man program is not using drugs or alcohol. Because of this philosophy, Sigma Phi Epsilon is completely dry.
Gordon said he was mostly concerned about the success of the fraternity without the support of the rest of the Greek community. Sigma Phi Epsilon is not yet a fully chartered fraternity. With 50 active members, Russell said they are still a colony and don't have a high enough membership to support a frat house yet.
"I would hope they would [come back] for the frat's sake," Gordon said. "They're in a shaky position not being chartered. They're basically a club."
Gordon said in order to get chartered, Sigma Phi Epsilon would have to be recognized by USU and by the Greek Council. However, Russell said he has found a way around the red tape.
"We would never leave [the Greek Council] if we couldn't charter," he said.
Instead of being governed by the council, Sigma Phi Epsilon decided to work with the Council of Student Clubs and Organizations. Russell said he turned the fraternity's constitution in to the CSCO president and it was approved.
"So, we are still recognized by the university," he said.
Gordon said the fraternity is always welcome back on the council.
"I think a lot of this would be solved with communication from their side," he said. "We wish them the best of luck."