[hoosier]

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

W&L fraternity suspended

___The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Washington and Lee University has been suspended for three years by its own national board.

___ In a letter to parents of the 40 chapter members, the Richmond-based organization cited alleged alcohol abuse, "questionable membership activities" and "regular disdain and combative relations" with its alumni, volunteers and headquarters staff. The chapter also failed to correct a slipping grade point average, the letter said.

___ The fraternity's behavior failed to improve despite intervention by its headquarters and its housing corporation, a group of alumni who manage the chapter's business and household affairs.

___ The fraternity did nothing that violated W&L's policy against hazing pledges, according to outgoing W&L Dean of Students David Howison.

___ Underclassmen who lived in the university-owned fraternity house will be housed in a dorm when they return for school in the fall, Howison said. Upperclassmen can move into a dorm or reside off campus.

___ Sigma Phi Epsilon is the fourth W&L fraternity to be suspended in Howison's 13 years at the school, but the first to be shut down by its own national headquarters.