University of Missouri fraternity suspended

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Sigma Chi International Fraternity has suspended its University of Missouri chapter, the organization said Thursday.

The suspension is indefinite and takes effect immediately.

“One of the most difficult things the Executive Committee can do is vote to close a chapter,” international president Steve Schuyler said in a news release. “In this instance, however, our members’ actions and their disregard for the Fraternity’s policies and procedures made our decision for us.”

The release did not specify which actions led to the suspension, but the fraternity has a history of violations of MU rules. The MU website lists the most recent violations as occurring in fall 2018. Those violations include forgery, alteration or misuse of university documents or providing false information to the university; obstructing or distributing teaching, research, administration or conduct proceedings or other university activities; and hazing.

MU stayed a loss of recognition until Sept. 6, 2019, in connection with those violations, but it wasn't clear what role they played in the international fraternity's decision. The university also placed Sigma Chi on probation until December 2021 at that time.

The chapter was also flagged for violating university rules in April and February 2017, including rules governing alcohol use.

The Sigma Chi fraternity house was also burglarized in September, with policing saying thieves took nearly $17,000 worth of property.

The international fraternity said it hopes to one day return the chapter to the MU campus. Undergraduate chapter members will not be able to participate in Sigma Chi activities until 2024, according to the news release.

MU's spring 2019 fraternity score card shows the chapter had 50 active members with a GPA just over 3.0.