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Hazing at SPE-NSCU investigated
11.15.2004 / news / Greek Life
Fraternity faces hazing allegations
Posted: 11.16.2004
Tyler Dukes
A campus fraternity is on temporary suspension following reports of a possible hazing incident.
The N.C. Beta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, located on Fraternity Court, is facing allegations of hazing from the N.C. State Office of Greek Life, according to Director John Mountz.
All activities for the organization have been haulted, pending an investigation conducted by the Office of Student Conduct, in conjunction with the chapter's national fraternity.
Although Mountz declined to comment on the nature of the incident or its severity, he did state that the temporary suspension was a standard procedure upon the receipt of "credible information" concerning conduct violations.
"What we do initially is make an immediate suspension of all activities, so that, primarily, the chapter can focus on participating in the investigation process, working with us to identify what really happened and to identify what that resolution is," Mountz said.
Mountz also pointed out that the suspension does not immediately imply wrongdoing.
"We're going to err on the side of caution and safety, and we've done this in numerous cases where we're not sure what's going on, but have enough information to say that we need to stop," Mountz said. "We've had cases where [organizations] have been put on suspension and found out that it looked like this, but was really this."
N.C. Beta Chapter President Wilson Harris, a sophomore in agronomy, spoke for the fraternity and declined to comment.
The outcome of the investigation will determine the future of the organization, which, according to Mountz, could amount to anything from a dismissal of all sanctions to a withdrawal of the charter from the National Fraternity of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
"Each case is different and it's handled that way so that the end result is fair to the chapter and the students involved," Mountz said. "It's not necessarily like a criminal code where you have multiple levels of [assault]. There you have more specific pieces. We've got this fairly broad definition."
The university defines hazing as "any act that injures, degrades, harasses or disgraces any person."
According to Mountz, this vague defintition often complicates the investigation process because it can sometimes be wide open to interpretation.
The investigation process, however, is not just about punishment for the organization. According to Mountz, it also helps the offices of Greek Life and Student Conduct make progress with the chapter.
"When we have an organization that may have strayed off the path a little bit, a lot of us would have a vested interest in helping that chapter identify problems and identify solutions," Mountz said. "This is not about trying to be soley punitive."
"Students make mistakes all the time," he added. "There is nothing that's going to stop that from occurring."
Despite the recency of the alleged incident, Mountz explains that the issue of hazing is a recurring topic, not only for the Greek community but for other organizations as well.
"Hazing is a very hot-button issue, not because it's timely or trendy or the problem this week," Mountz said. "We've had our fair share of incidents, historically, in the Greek community at its broadest level, but it's also present in athletic teams, marching bands... even high schools are having problems with that."
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