Non-member stabs non-student: SAE NIU suspended

[hoosier]

NIU suspends SAE, alcohol-related events for all Greeks

Article by:
Justin Smith - Assistant Campus Editor
• jsmith@northernstar.info

NIU has officially suspended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and placed an indefinite moratorium on all Greek houses following an altercation Saturday morning at the SAE house in which one person was stabbed by an NIU student.

In an official statement released by the university Saturday, the moratorium was described as prohibiting all fraternities and sororities from hosting social events in their houses or at third-party venues.

"With these suspensions and the larger moratorium, we are working with the Greek community to help them ensure the safety and security of their houses and events, and also challenging them to take greater responsibility for both," vice president of student affairs Brian Hemphill said in the statement. The groups may continue to conduct regular meetings, participate in community service and organize philanthropic events, but may not host any events involving alcohol, according to the statement.

The moratorium was issued by Hemphill after working closely with provost Ivan Legg.

The NIU Judicial Office also issued a suspension for the student involved in the incident.

According to police reports, junior business major Matthew Bergquist, 21, of DeKalb is currently being held in DeKalb County Jail after being accused of stabbing a 20-year-old male after Bergquist was denied entry to a party being held at the SAE house.

The victim of the stabbing was not an NIU student. Neither the victim nor Bergquist were members of the SAE fraternity.

The moratorium will remain in place while the university completes a review of policies and practices regarding Greek events.

Saturday morning’s incident comes after Hemphill formed an alcohol task force earlier this semester to examine issues related to alcohol abuse.

In a phone interview Sunday afternoon, Hemphill said the task force will not be directly engaged in the process of reviewing the weekend’s incidents, but rather will assist and enhance the investigation.

Representatives for SAE were unavailable for comment.