The Sigma Chi fraternity has been banned from the Louisiana State University campus until at least the end of 2018.
#BREAKING LSU confirms Sigma Chi Fraternity kicked off campus https://t.co/B690NWTqMg pic.twitter.com/DJ6eFN1D5u
— WAFB (@WAFB) December 11, 2015
The fraternity had been fighting allegations of hazing and drug use that led to a full investigation by the university. Sigma Chi had already had its charter suspended since Nov. 3. The college administration made a public statement confirming that the brotherhood had lost its privilege to operate there.
“LSU supports the decision that the Gamma Iota chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity student ogranization’s registration be rescinded effective immediately through Dec. 31, 2018.”
Because the investigation is still ongoing, the details of what specific acts of hazing and drug use pushed the ban into effect are still unknown. However, another recent event might give some insight into the drug use Sigma Chi brothers had engaged in. One Sigma Chi member, Sawyer Reed, died of an overdose on Oct. 17.
Although the death took place in his off-campus apartment, police found syringes, scales and other paraphernalia that indicated more than casual marijuana smoking. The Baton Rouge Police Department report also noted potential needle marks found on the arms and feet of the deceased. Both BRPD and LSU Media Relations said that the death was not the cause of the ban.
George Bevan, who was a part of Sigma Chi with Reed, told local LSU campus newspaper The Daily Reveille that his frat brothers were unaware that Sawyer was suffering from a problem with addiction to intravenous drugs. He also stated that he did not believe his friend had been selling.
“We didn’t really know that he was dealing with that. From what I heard it was just a one time thing… I really don’t think that it would be in Sawyer’s nature and personality to be selling anything and quite frankly I don’t know how much he did… People who you would never suspect are dabbling in that kind of stuff actually could be. If they are, somebody needs to step in.”
Kurt Keppler, LSU vice president for student life and enrollment, noted that the university was sad to see a long-standing campus institution have its reputation tarnished.
“LSU has a long standing relationship with Sigma Chi, and it’s unfortunate that this is the end result. But we take any and all reports of incidents seriously and will not tolerate policy violations when it involves the health, safety and well-being of our students.”
Although banned from LSU, Sigma Chi still operates in 243 other locations around the country as well as in Canada. The group totals more than 300,000 men who still retain active membership.
Nationally, Sigma Chi first took a stand against hazing in 2005 that placed a zero tolerance policy when it came to the topic. Since then, chapters at Auburn, Dayton, James Madison, Utah State, Brown, and Houston universities have all been investigated for allegations of continuing with the practice.
Perhaps the most publicized was the case that took place at the University of Houston. In that case, the local Sigma Chi chapter was banned after delaying cooperation with the national organization’s own investigation into the matter, reported The Houston Chronicle .
[Image via AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman and Sigma Chi]
