TEMPE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5)– An Arizona State University fraternity chapter has closed after a hazing investigation. The national chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon released a statement on Nov. 27, announcing the closure of its ASU chapter.
Virginia-based Sigma Phi Epsilon said the decision comes after it conducted a joint investigation with ASU. “In the last five years, the chapter at Arizona State University has been under investigation for hazing several times,” Sigma Phi Epsilon said in a statement.
The organization added that it worked closely with the university and its chapter to address issues, hold members accountable, eliminate hazing behaviors and improve the chapter’s culture. Sigma Phi Epsilon said this past fall, ASU chapter members continued to make repeated decisions “to violate member safety policies and hazing behaviors existed in the chapter.”
“Sig Ep’s purpose is to develop balanced men who make a difference in their communities,” said Sigma Phi Epsilon CEO Brian Warren. “We provide education, resources and mentoring to guide our students to create a positive environment and foster a culture of dignity and respect. When they fail to live up to our values and expectations, the Fraternity must hold our chapters and individuals accountable for their poor decisions.”
Sigma Phi Epsilon said in a statement that it has more than 13,000 undergraduates on 210 campuses across the country. Spokeswoman Heather Kirk told Arizona’s Family that if the organization sought a return to ASU, the national chapter would work in full partnership with the university toward the re-establishment of the chapter. That process, however, could take several years.
Arizona’s Family has reached out to ASU and Sigma Phi Epsilon about the matter. ASU says it supports the right of their partner fraternities and sororities to make decisions in the best interest of their organization.
Most of the Greek life members at the Greek Leadership Village on campus were very tight-lipped about the expulsion, but some talked without wanting to identify themselves.
“It happened pretty recently so I feel like they haven’t really told us what’s been going on and what’s not. Just because, I mean, there are such great boys in that chapter. They don’t want them all to have a bad rap when two or however many messed up,” one sorority member said.
Just last month, an ASU student was dead in a room at a fraternity building on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe Monday. ASU released a brief statement Monday evening. “A male student was found deceased today in his room at the Greek Leadership Village. Detectives are investigating,” the statement read. “No further information is available.” It wasn’t made clear at the time which fraternity the student belonged to.
