Sigma Phi Epsilon closes chapter on Mizzou’s campus

The Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter on Mizzou’s campus is closing amid claims of hazing and drugs.

On Friday, ABC 17 News got hold of the letter sent to chapter members stating the Alumni Advisory Council, or AAC, made the decision.

In the letter, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s chief executive officer Brian C. Warren Jr. points to recent incidents that “clearly illustrate that membership is not committed to living by our values.” This includes a recent alleged assault involving two members that resulted in a hospitalization of the victim, Warren said.

Warren also said a chapter-hosted tailgate got out of hand and “current members were either unwilling or unable to close down the event.” He said the event ended with people tossing glass bottles over a fence. Those bottles shattered, cutting the leg of a six-year-old.

ABC 17 News spoke with members on Friday who said they are angry, upset and scrambling for places to live. Some said they felt like most of the violations happened before they were members.

Since Oct. 2016, police have been called to the house 16 times, including 9 times for disturbances or peace disturbances.

The fraternity also had the second highest number of sanctions against them, among other Mizzou fraternities, with 10 between Fall 2007 and Fall 2016. Kappa Alpha had 11.

A Fall 2016 conduct report showed the chapter was put on probation through spring of this year for “use, possession, sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages or controlled substance without proper prescription, license, or as expressly permitted by law, or University regulations.”

In Friday’s letter, Warren said that probation was ignored.

“When it was confirmed in spring 2017 that the chapter was still plagued by hazing and drug-related issues, the AAC addressed the chapter body and provided the ultimatum that Missouri Alpha was going to provide the proper SigEp experience and those not on board should leave on their own or they would be removed. 52 of the 100 men in the chapter chose to remain.”

Now, some of those men will be out of a home. Anyone living in the house must leave the property by Oct. 15.

Some of the members ABC 17 News spoke with said they felt like they were getting ripped off because they had put money into the house and now have to find different living arrangements.

Residents will be reimbursed $1,675 after leaving and could get more back from a deposit.