Records reveal more on Sigma Phi Epsilon’s ouster at MU
Despite national efforts to change the culture at Sigma Phi Epsilon’s MU chapter, the organization decided to disband the group.
Records obtained by ABC 17 News from the UM System reveal more about the national fraternity ending its chapter at MU in September.
The emails and notes show that national leaders “seriously entertained” shutting down the fraternity house during the Spring 2017 semester. The fraternity was cited for providing alcohol to minors and having hard liquor in their home at a February party. The fraternity was already on probation after four incidents in the last five semesters.
National leaders in Sigma Phi Epsilon conducted a membership review, which led to more than half of the members being suspended. Those members were still allowed to live in the home, in the 400 block of Kentucky Boulevard, for the rest of that semester.
Only the September letter from the national office to members references the football tailgate party held at the house, in which a bottle was allegedly thrown, cutting a 6-year-old walking nearby.
Sigma Phi Epsilon was at least the second fraternity to take action against its MU chapter since 2016. Delta Upsilon suspended its MU chapter for two years after numerous violations in the Fall 2016 semester.
The university withdrew its recognition of at least two fraternities as student organizations in that same time. Both Sigma Pi and Kappa Alpha Order received the punishment due to school rules violations, including hazing. Sigma Pi’s lasts indefinitely, while Kappa Alpha Order’s withdrawal lasts five years.
