Sigma Chi fraternity sanctioned by UNL

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juan N. Franco today announced sanctions imposed on the Sigma Chi Fraternity following an investigation last spring that led to charges of hazing, and procuring alcohol for minors involving members of Sigma Chi.

The sanctions include a four-year suspension beginning May 1, 2009 and ending May 1, 2013, and a revocation of the privilege of Sigma Chi's status as a UNL-approved housing unit. During the suspension, no one will be in residence at the Sigma Chi house at 1510 Vine St., and no formal activities are to be held there.

According to the administrative disposition issued by Franco and agreed to by the Sigma Chi Alumni Board, the last two years of the suspension will be held in abeyance, but only if a plan is successfully put in place by the Alumni Board to assure that all behavioral requirements specified in the agreement are upheld, that regular house inspections are conducted, and that ongoing monitoring of compliance with the UNL Student Code of Conduct is provided. Sigma Chi and its Alumni Board will be responsible for maintenance and remodeling of the house, and are required to install fire sprinklers.

Recruitment of new freshman members would be allowed in 2011 if all aspects of the agreement are followed. The agreement calls for the Alumni Board to create a recruitment plan to be approved by UNL officials that upholds high moral, ethical and academic standards. The sanctions also call for the national Sigma Chi fraternity office to assist in providing a graduate student to reside in the fraternity house for no less than two years following reinstatement of the UNL chapter.

Several Nebraska Sigma Chi alumni have stepped forward and committed to working to secure a positive future for the fraternity, including Steve Davis ('67), Bob Siedell ('64), Ron Harris ('64), Harry Tolly ('60), Terry Kroeger ('84), Rich Rice ('84), Curt Denker ('77) and Jack Shultz ('74).

The sanctions are the toughest imposed on a UNL fraternity house in recent memory, according to Franco.

"This approach was merited in this case because of the severity of the problems," said Franco. "We needed to break the cycle of a culture of disregard for university policies. We are optimistic that the involvement of the group of leaders working with this fraternity will be successful in transforming the climate within the house in the long term, and we are committed to working with them for positive change."

"I am grateful to each of the members of the group of alumni leaders for their leadership in working to reestablish a positive climate and to uphold the standards of this university," said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman. "The university values the contributions made by the Greek system and we want it to be a strong, positive force for our students."

On April 19 UNL police cited eight members of Sigma Chi fraternity for 11 charges of hazing and/or procuring alcohol for a minor, and in August a ninth member was cited for an additional charge of hazing. The citations stemmed from a search of the fraternity house and investigation following a complaint from a member alleging physical and verbal abuse and forced and consensual alcohol consumption by minors.