Purdue fraternity receives four-year suspension

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The national office of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Purdue University have announced that the Purdue chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has been suspended until fall semester 2020 for violations of alcohol, hazing and unregistered functions.

The organization was notified of the suspension on March 10, 2016.

An investigation by Purdue’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities determined that the fraternity violated several Interfraternity Council and university policies. In addition, the fraternity was found to be non-compliant with a four-year probation in 2013 stemming from incidents involving illegal drugs, said Jeffery Stefancic, associate dean of students in the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

“The national office and chapter alumni leaders have been very involved in efforts to change the culture in this fraternity,” Stefancic said. “Continued violations led to this serious sanction, which was affirmed by the national organization and the Purdue Student Organization Community Standards Board in consultation with the Interfraternity Council and the Office of Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life.”

The fraternity's suspension required that the chapter cease to function as an organization on March 12. Under an agreement between the national headquarters and the local alumni board, the 14 current student residents will be permitted to live in the facility until the end of the current semester, at which time the chapter house, which is in the 600 block of Waldron Street, will close. Once the suspension period is complete the house will be available for the chapter to recolonize. 

Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu 

Contact: Jeffery Stefancic, 765-494-1250, jpstefan@purdue.edu