Sigma Chi Omega Suspended
Hi. Regarding your previous message to the University at Buffalo, we thought
you'd like to know that UB has suspended the Sigma Chi Omega fraternity
pending a University review of reports of hazing and student conduct
violations. The student members of these groups are cooperating with the
investigation.
The group has been featured in MTV's "Fraternity Life." The television
episodes began airing their 13 scheduled episodes on Wed., Feb. 26. MTV
contracted directly with the featured students, not with UB, and most of the
filming took place in MTV-rented residences outside the UB campus.
After viewing the first episodes, UB was concerned that some of the
students' actions may constitute hazing.
Although the school has received no complaints from participating students,
UB's long-standing policy is to suspend groups suspected of hazing, pending
a complete review, to protect students from any potential danger. UB defines
hazing as any action that produces mental or physical discomfort,
embarrassment, harassment, ridicule or impairment of academic efforts.
To date, all participating students remain students in good standing at UB.
During the suspension, all Sigma Chi Omega fraternity activities will stop,
including new member education and group-sponsored activities. The groups
will not be entitled to campus support or funding pending satisfactory
completion of the review.
If deemed necessary by the review committee, disciplinary actions will be
taken by the Student-wide Judiciary and University Police as appropriate.
A reminder: MTV contracted directly with the student organizations and the
individual students and all of the show content was directly controlled by
MTV. UB did not endorse or participate in the production. The University did
permit on-campus filming in an effort to provide a more balanced look at
student life. The shows were primarily filmed off campus, in pledge houses
that were not UB residences. The houses were rented, furnished and
maintained by MTV.
We remain hopeful that the overall impact of our students' participation in
these MTV programs is positive on both the students and the Greek letter
organizations. We are reviewing the content very carefully and interviewing
the participating students. UB will deal with abuses swiftly and
aggressively.
Thanks again for your feedback and feel free to contact me if you have any
further questions. Also, you may want to continue to check the sites below
for announcements related to this issue.
And we encourage you to contact MTV to express your concerns.
Sincerely,
Tracey Eastman
|
Threaded Mode