U Kentucky: Sigma Phi Epsilon Suspension and Appeal

[pshsx1]

Fraternity suspended due to alleged hazing

June 10, 2009 by Melissa Vessels

UPDATED JUNE 12, 11 a.m.: Sigma Phi Epsilon has drafted an appeal in response to their suspension, according to a member of the fraternity. The appeal has been granted a hearing set for June 15 with the University Appeals Board.

UK’s chapter of one of the largest national fraternities has received a two-year suspension following a hazing incident, according to the associate dean of students.
The Kentucky Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, located on Pennsylvania Avenue, was suspended on May 8 after alleged hazing involving personal servitude during the pledging process. The fraternity also violated a temporary suspension put in place during the investigation that began on March 5, said Associate Dean of Students Tony Blanton in an e-mail to the Kernel.
According to a letter from the Dean of Students Office to Sigma Phi Epsilon President Aaron Tutt, the organization is “excluded from university premises and all other privileges granted to registered student organizations.” The letter warns that violation of the suspension could result in disciplinary expulsion. The organization has the option to appeal the decision to the University Appeals Board.
Sigma Phi Epsilon will be eligible to apply for university registration on July 1, 2011.
Attempts to contact Tutt were unsuccessful by press time.


http://kykernel.com/2009/06/10/frate...lleged-hazing/


UPDATE: Fraternity wins appeal

June 16, 2009 by Melissa Vessels

After receiving a two-year suspension in March for an alleged hazing incident, the Kentucky Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon appealed the university’s decision. On Monday, the fraternity won the appeal with the University Appeals Board.
The Kernel will update with more information when it becomes available.


http://kykernel.com/2009/06/16/updat...y-wins-appeal/

[ThetaPrincess24]

I read about that on the Fraternal News Listserv.

Guilty or not, it would be ashame if they were kicked off campus. They just got a nice new house bordering sorority circle not long ago.

[Kevin]

Congrats to Sig Ep.

[pshsx1]

Fraternity wins appeal, put on probation

http://kykernel.com/2009/06/17/frate...-on-probation/

This article also lists the many stipulations they must follow.

[Xidelt]

does that mean they can't use their new house? I thought it was a fraternity in California that threw gasoline on an outdoor bonfire and got shut down by both the university and IHQ. Is this a separate incident?

[WVU alpha phi]

Interesting, one of the guys I used to work with was a Sig Ep from UK. I wonder if he's heard anything about this.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

Guilty or not, it would be a shame if they were kicked off campus. They just got a nice new house bordering sorority circle not long ago.

Originally Posted by Xidelt

does that mean they can't use their new house?

From the article, one of the Sigma Phi Epsilon sanctions is this.

- The chapter is ineligible for university housing for the duration of the disciplinary probation. After the probation, the chapter can pursue housing opportunities with the university.

The disciplinary probation is until July 1, 2011. As such, I wonder if an un-housed fraternity chapter will rent the house. Perhaps Alpha Phi will do so while they are building their house.

Also, the Sigma Phi Epsilon logo is itched in the round glass window above the door. As is "Sigma Phi Epsilon" (and some other specific stuff) right above the door. (see below). If they don't replace it, it might be kind of odd if another GLO does rent the house.

[pshsx1]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

does that mean they can't use their new house? I thought it was a fraternity in California that threw gasoline on an outdoor bonfire and got shut down by both the university and IHQ. Is this a separate incident?

That's very similar but a different case.

Maybe they can appeal some of their stipulations? Eh, no, nevermind.

I know what they were doing and they had no business throwing gasoline on anything. It sucks that they have to go through what they're going through now because someone wanted to add 'visual emphasis.'

And that's a pretty nice house. Looks very office building, though.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by pshsx1

And that's a pretty nice house. Looks very office building, though.

It does look like an office building, however it is a hell of a step up from the house they had prior.

[TSteven]

Fraternity moves out, women move in
The Kentucky Kernel
Posted by Laura Clark on August 31, 2009

Excerpt from the article.

The dorm is only slated to remain open until May 2010, Crutcher said.

Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon were evicted [from] their fraternity house after an alleged hazing incident on May 8. The fraternity received a two-year suspension, but won their appeal to the University Appeals Board on June 16.

The fraternity was then placed on disciplinary probation until July 11, 2011, and must abide by 15 sanctions imposed by the university.

Aaron Tutt, the UK Alpha Chapter’s president, said he was never informed of the fraternity house’s transformation.

Sigma Phi Epsilon must wait until later this month for the chapter’s national board review members of the fraternity by individually interviewing them, Tutt said. Members will be reviewed on participation and their GPA. Tutt said the board will decide who stays in the chapter and who goes.

[APhi4Ever]

http://www.sigepblog.org/2009/09/uk-...e-charter.html

Sigma Phi Epsilon loses charter
Posted by Melissa Vessels

UK’s Kentucky Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has been denied a chapter review and had their charter revoked by national headquarters, according to a letter sent to the fraternity from a Sigma Phi Epsilon director of chapter services.

The letter, dated Sept. 15, states, “The National Board of Directors has authorized the withdrawal of the Kentucky Alpha Chapter’s charter due to ongoing violations of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Bylaws and Sigma Phi Epsilon’s ‘Statement on Chapter and Individual Responsibility.’ ”

Sigma Phi Epsilon was suspended due to alleged hazing in June. The fraternity appealed the decision to the University Appeals Board and won, but was placed on disciplinary probation until July 1, 2011. Included in this probation was a list of 15 sanctions that must be fulfilled before the chapter could be reinstated.

The letter cites these university sanctions against the fraternity as an explanation for revoking the charter.

Because of the closure, rights and privileges forfeited by members include the use of trademarked items, recruitment of new members, sponsorship of events and conducting meetings for an “underground” affiliate.

Sigma Phi Epsilon President Aaron Tutt did not return calls before press time.

[banditone]

Never good when nationals comes in and does a "member review". Also, they must have had some good evidence on them....