Chapters of two fraternities at West Virginia University have received interim suspensions by their national headquarters due to concerns about the local groups’ efforts at complying with risk management policies and procedures.
Sigma Chi Fraternity’s local chapter’s operations was indefinitely suspended by its national office after a weekend social activity violated many regulations of both the fraternity and the University. The suspension is effective immediately, pending an investigation.
As a result of the suspension, the University Office of Student Conduct has also suspended the chapter. Earlier the WVU Interfraternity Council suspended the chapter pending a full investigation of the events at the April 2 party.
The national office is requiring the chapter to respond within seven days to various allegations of misconduct, some serious, including any actions the chapter has undertaken.
Secondly, Sigma Nu Fraternity’s local chapter was placed on social suspension for the remainder of the semester after the chapter registered a planned social function that included violations of the Fraternity’s risk management policies and procedures. The national headquarters staff acted quickly after recently visiting the chapter in Morgantown to meet with the members of the chapter to discuss numerous topics including risk management.
“The bar has been raised of what we expect out of our students at WVU,” said Dean of Students Corey Farris. “By raising the bar, that also means holding students accountable when their actions are not consistent with the values and goals of the University.”
Roy W. Baker, associate dean of students and director of Greek life, noted that the actions by the Sigma Nu and Sigma Chi national offices reflected increased attention to local chapter operations.
The Sigma Chi suspensions mean the chapter is not permitted to operate or function as a recognized WVU student organization, pending the investigation of various investigations by the national chapter, the IFC, University Police and the chapter’s alumni corporation.
“I am extremely disappointed in what appears to be deliberate ignoring of University and fraternity regulations by the members and leadership of the chapter,” Baker said. “It is doubly disappointing because we have made great strides in recent months on changing the culture on campus.
“The fact remains that most Greeks are responsible and are some of the finest young men and young women on campus,” Baker said.
He also lauded the IFC for its quick and definitive response to the Sigma Chi behavior.
“The IFC does not support the chapter’s acknowledged deliberate decision to ignore and violate the risk management policies set forth by the Interfraternity Council and the Sigma Chi National Fraternity,” the student organization said in announcing the suspension. “The chapter and individual members who were involved in these violations will be held accountable and responsible for their very poor decisions.
“The Interfraternity Council firmly will not tolerate this or any type of unacceptable behavior from fraternity members at West Virginia University,” the statement said.
Earlier this week, a colony of Delta Tau Delta national fraternity was also indefinitely suspended by its national office and the IFC pending an investigation into a video posted by a local member as an audition for a cable television program that the IFC said included “inappropriate comments toward women, describing social functions that violate the conduct code of the IFC, and referencing activities that violated and are contradicting to the values of the national fraternity.”
-WVU-
jb/04/06/16
CONTACT: Jason Broadwater; Division of Student Life
304.293.8863; Jason.Broadwater@mail.wvu.edu
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