Mizzou Sigma Chi Suspension
Columbia Daily Tribune
Columbia, MO
October 18, 2002
MU suspends fraternity four years for hazing
By CORY de VERA of the Tribune's staff
The Sigma Chi fraternity is suspended for four years with the option to petition for reinstatement after June 30, 2004, punishment meted out for hazing that occurred at the house, officials at the University of Missouri-Columbia said this morning.
"We simply cannot allow the kind of activity that Sigma Chi members were engaging in to go unpunished, and we want to send a clear message that the mental and physical well-being of our students is our top priority," said Cathy Scroggs, interim vice chancellor for student affairs, in upholding a previous decision issued by Chris Linder, coordinator of Greek Life.
Suspension means the group cannot participate as a student
organization in any events organized by the Panhellenic Council or the Interfraternity Council, including Homecoming and Greek Week.
While members will not be forced by the university to move out of the chapter house, MU is sending letters out to the parents of all
members, apprising them of the situation.
Jay Robertson, Sigma Chi's president, was unavailable for comment.
According to a Greek Life tracking report distributed to reporters by Scroggs this morning, the office of Greek life began receiving
reports of hazing at the fraternity from different sources in early
September.
Allegations included that pledges had ammonia poured on their heads, were forced to drink from a spit cup, were slapped and had to sit with pillowcases over their heads for hours while active members insulted them or poured alcohol on them.
One source said active members threw Dumpsters full of trash in the hallways and urinated in the halls, expecting pledges to clean up afterward.
University officials interviewed all 33 pledges and determined that
some of those allegations happened sporadically to a few members.
The organization was specifically held responsible for assigning
excessive work sessions, holding lineups where pledges were insulted and humiliated, and for sleep deprivation.
All 33 pledges confirmed that hazing was occurring; such actions were harming students' academic success, Linder said.
Copyright © 2002 The Columbia Daily Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
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