LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Sigma Chi fraternity continues to rebuild at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln five years after it was suspended over hazing allegations.
The fraternity is recruiting new members to prepare for its official reinstatement on May 1, The Lincoln Journal Star reported (https://bit.ly/1nETsCO ). The Sigma Chi fraternity house has undergone a $2.6 million renovation.
Officials say hazing is no longer tolerated and that the fraternity’s members have been educated about alcohol.
UNL Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juan Franco said the fraternity has worked hard to improve its image and cultivate quality leadership.
“Had they not taken serious steps, (the suspension) would’ve continued,” Franco said.
Sigma Chi’s recovery could serve as a model for another troubled UNL fraternity. Sigma Nu is facing disciplinary action after dozens of code violations were found there last month. Sigma Nu has been suspended by its national chapter and the university thorough the spring semester and several officials are facing charges. It’s not clear what additional punishment that fraternity could face.
Sigma Chi members could likely understand much of what Sigma Nu is experiencing. In 2009, Sigma Chi was accused of hazing by two former members who settled out of court with the fraternity.
UNL suspended Sigma Chi for two years before reinstating it in 2011 on probation. Then, the fraternity was suspended indefinitely in 2012 because of an off-campus party with underage drinking.
“We hit a wall,” said J. Steve Davis, a spokesman for the Alpha Epsilon alumni advisory council for Sigma Chi. “(But) in two years, we’ve really done a reboot of the fraternity and had some outstanding results as a consequence.”
The fraternity’s membership dropped to 12 after the 2009 suspension as all the members went through a requalification process. The remaining members had to attend 75 percent of the fraternity’s philanthropic events and they had to do community service.
Membership has grown back to 50, and the fraternity is looking for a few additional members.
“We’re looking for guys who want to be leaders,” local Sigma Chi President Alex Moore said. “It takes a special person.”
Franco said he hopes Sigma Chi can become a model fraternity on campus, but it has to continue working to stop hazing and to follow campus rules.
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Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, https://www.journalstar.com
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