This just shows how easy it is for a great chapter can go down.
Sorry the article is a little long.
October 17, 2003
UNT and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Inc. suspend campus chapter for 4 years for hazing policy violations
DENTON (UNT), Texas — Today, the University of North Texas, acting in conjunction with Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Inc., suspended the campus chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon from all operations at UNT for four years (until July 2007).
The UNT Division of Student Development and the fraternity's national headquarters imposed the suspension in response to investigations of several allegations of hazing, alcohol and physical abuse violations this semester that culminated in an off campus incident on Oct. 12 (Sunday). At that time a freshman pledge to the fraternity was found unconscious on Oak Street and transported to Denton Community Hospital.
The national fraternity additionally suspended the affiliations of all current members of the UNT chapter for four years.
The UNT Police Department is also investigating the Oct. 12 incident.
"We acted quickly to suspend the fraternity's operations because UNT does not tolerate hazing and on account of the seriousness of this case," said Bonita Jacobs, vice president for Student Development.
Acting with full cooperation from the fraternity's national headquarters, UNT has determined that campus chapter members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon violated sections of the UNT Code of Student Conduct that address hazing, alcohol abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse and other conduct that threatens or endangers health or safety; violation of university policy; and violation of federal, state, civil or criminal laws — regardless of whether individuals are ultimately convicted.
During the next four years, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter will not be allowed to solicit or accept new members, participate in service projects or hold local meetings. Current members of the UNT chapter must vacate the fraternity house during the next 30 days.
After an incident-free suspension, the fraternity will be eligible to petition UNT for permission to return to active status under a two-year probationary period. Any failure to follow all guidelines set by the university or other violations of UNT policies or procedures will result in an immediate re-suspension of the chapter.
Details of the incident are not available until the police investigation is complete.
UNT cited Sigma Alpha Epsilon for the following violations of the Code of Student Conduct:
SECTION B2
Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion; and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person. Speech protected by the First Amendment is not a violation of this provision, although fighting words and statements which reasonably threaten or endanger the health and safety of any person are not protected speech. Each allegation of a violation under this provision shall be reviewed in consideration of these factors.
SECTION B4
Hazing as defined by Section 51.936 and 37.151-157, Texas Education Code, such as engaging in, soliciting, encouraging, directing, aiding or intentionally knowingly or recklessly permitting behavior such as physical brutality, risk of harm to mental or physical health or safety, intimidation, threat of ostracism, mental stress, humiliation, or other behavior adverse to health or human dignity to occur in association with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in a student organization or having firsthand knowledge of the planning of hazing or of its occurrence and failing to report it to school authorities.
SECTION B7
Use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages (unless expressly permitted by law and university regulations) or public intoxication.
SECTION B10
Violation of university policies or regulations which have been published and are readily available to the students, including but not limited to those which govern academic matters, housing, alcohol use, financial matters, student life, and the maintenance of the health, safety, and welfare of the university community.
SECTION B11
An act which constitutes a violation of federal, state, civil or criminal laws or city ordinances, regardless of whether the act occurred on or off campus and regardless of whether the individual is ultimately convicted of the act.
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Roddy Wolper (940) 565-2943
Email:
rwolper@unt.edu
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