Fraternity has Charter Revoked

   COLUMBUS -- Repeated violations of university and Interfraternity Council regulations have cost the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter at Ohio State University its status as a recognized student organization through Jan 4, 2003.

William H. Hall, interim vice president for student affairs, upheld a Dec. 11, 2000, ruling by the University Judicial Panel following hearings on alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct. The chapter had appealed the decision.

The revocation of recognition takes effect immediately and runs through Jan. 4, 2003. The probation period runs from Jan. 5, 2003, to Jan. 4, 2004. If the chapter abides by conditions set today in a meeting with Hall, it may begin re-establishing itself at Ohio State during the probationary period. The conditions include refraining from any organizational activities during the two-year sanction period and from any property destruction or vandalism at the chapter house.

“It is regrettable that the situation had to end this way,” Hall said. “The university worked for over a year with SAE to try to return the chapter to alignment with university and IFC values. However, despite repeated counseling with university staff, the young men of SAE continued to disregard not only the rules, but more important, the underlying values of both the university and their own organization. Under the circumstances, I believe it is best to withdraw university recognition of SAE for a period of time. The university will not and cannot lend its tacit approval to the kinds of activities and standards demonstrated by the local SAE members.”

The SAE chapter was found to have committed multiple violations of university rules governing conduct of Greek organizations. These violations included three separate violations of the Interfraternity Council/Women’s Panhellenic Association Alcohol Policy. In addition, over the past 15 months, numerous allegations have been made about chapter members participating in incidents that created substantial threat to other persons and property, including launching beer bottles and frozen water balloons at pedestrians, cars and nearby facilities.

By revoking the chapter’s status as a recognized student organization, Ohio State has effectively removed the chapter’s ability to operate as a viable organization at the university. Without recognition, SAE may not use university facilities, advisers or funds. Nor may it participate in IFC activities, including recruitment of new members, or in intramural sports or other university activities.

The Judicial Panel had recommended that the national headquarters of SAE revoke the chapter’s charter for at least two years.

Brandon Weghorst, coordinator of media and publications for the fraternity’s national headquarters in Evanston, Ill., said the group is “disappointed that our 108-year tradition at Ohio State is coming to an end. This is an unfortunate situation, but we respect the jurisdiction of the university. Greek organizations are guests of the institutions where they are domiciled, and the fraternity office does not condone inappropriate behavior.”

The national SAE chapter services department will send notification to the chapter’s active members, their parents and alumni, telling them it must close, Weghorst said.

The SAE chapter currently has about 57 members, about half of whom live in the chapter house at 1934 Indianola Avenue. It is up to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon headquarters and local alumni housing corporation to determine which, if any, of the students may remain in the house. The university has offered to discuss the possibility of Ohio State renting the facility and using it for non-fraternity student housing.

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(LO)