Sigma Nu (Kicked Off)

[Chi_Omega2000Chick]

National organization kicks Sigma Nu off campus (An Article Featured in the University of Arkansas school newspaper "The Travler"
On January 29,2001)
Curtis A. McClane
Lead Staff Writer


The Sigma Nu fraternity house has been dark and empty since the end of the fall semester.
Brad Beacham, chief operating officer of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc., said the national organization revoked the charter of the UA chapter because of allegations of hazing, vandalism, alcohol-related incidences and financial problems during the past few years.


“A couple of years ago, we began working closely with the UA administration concerning the behavior of the members and allegations of hazing,” Beacham said.


Gary Standridge, an alumnus of the fraternity and special assistant to the chancellor, said the allegations of hazing involved primarily members waking up pledges in the middle of the night for a roll call.


“Hazing is against the law,” Standridge said. “Any form of hazing is not allowed.”
“Some think it is esprit de corps,” he said. “They just want them to get what they got.”
According to police reports, a number of incidences have occurred involving alcohol, fighting and vandalism.


Oct. 10, 1999, a student was arrested at a party at the house on charges of public intoxication, a minor in possession of alcohol and fleeing after being approached by a UAPD officer.
Oct. 31, 1999, the Sigma Nu fraternity agreed to pay damages after a bottle was thrown through a window at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house.


Nov. 12, 1999, a man was arrested at a Sigma Nu party for public intoxication.
Feb. 13, 2000, Sigma Nu agreed to pay damages for a broken window at the Kappa Sigma house.
July 21, 2000, a rock was thrown through the glass door of the Sigma Nu fraternity house and a fire extinguisher sprayed on the inside by two men who had gotten into a fight earlier that night with Sigma Nu members.


Sept. 24, 2000, a fight occurred between Sigma Nu members and some international students who had attended an open party at the fraternity house.


“But, the last straw that broke the camel’s back occurred during finals week,” Standridge said.
Some pledges had gone on a trip for the weekend and were told to be back by 3 a.m. Sunday morning, Standridge said. When some pledges arrived late they found stereos and computers damaged, their clothes thrown outside, walls damaged and a mattress thrown through a window.
After this incident, the national organization revoked the Sigma Nu charter.


“This was the breaking point for the fraternity,” Beacham said.


“Although we didn’t have proven evidence,” he said, “there were enough problems from our perspective.


“One of the main problems was the lack of cooperation from members to identify those involved in these incidences,” Beacham said.


“Unfortunately, the future of the chapter was greatly and negatively affected by the actions of a few,” he said.


Sigma Nu had gone from a Chapter in Good Standing to having an Alumni Board of Advisors appointed in the fall of 1998, he said.


The purpose of the board, which included UA administrators and Sigma Nu alumni, was to work with the chapter members and leaders to avoid a reoccurrence of the problems and pursuing the fraternity’s mission and principles, Beacham said.


The mission of Sigma Nu endeavors to develop ethical leaders for society, he said.
“We’re trying to get away from the social club image,” Beacham said. “It was never intended to be a social organization.”


“The closing of Sigma Nu is a signal that these types of fraternities will not be tolerated,” he said.
James Conneely, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said, “This may make other fraternities and sororities look at what they are doing.”


Standridge said they stress scholarship, leadership and community service.


“Sigma Nu has a long history of success nationwide,” he said. “This chapter has more alums than any other chapter in the U.S.”


Sigma Nu was founded in 1869 at the Virginia Military Institute, in Lexington Virginia and the Gamma Upsilon chapter at the UA was founded in 1904.


At the time the alumni board was formed, the fraternity was also having financial problems, Standridge said.


The board collected money, paid bills and approved activities, he said.
“Collecting room and board from members was a problem,” Standridge said. “As much as $30,000 to $40,000 is owed.”


Standridge said he is hoping to have the fraternity back on campus by 2004, but it will be a minimum of two years before it will return.


Beacham said, “There is no doubt in our minds that Sigma Nu will be back on campus and will return in a grand style.”


James Ezell, UA project and program director, said the house and property are owned by the UA.
Don Pederson, vice chancellor of Finance and Administration, said the fraternity owes the UA about $450,000 for bonds issued to the UA to pay for an addition to the house.
He said the UA is working with the fraternity to figure out how to deal with this situation.


“They don’t have the wherewithal to pay at this time,” Pederson said. “But, they are not dodging the obligation.”
Sigma Nu officers and members were unavailable for comment.


Debra Euculano, Greek Affairs coordinator, declined several requests for an interview.