Sigma Pi shuts down IU chapter after violations

IU’s beta chapter of Sigma Pi has been placed into an alumni trusteeship, and all leaders of the organization have been removed from their positions, according to a statement released by Sigma Pi Fraternity International on Thursday.

The press release said all campus activity has been stopped, and there are currently no active members at IU.

The announcement was a result of recurrent code violations and infractions, according to the release.

Under an alumni trusteeship, essentially the alumni take complete control of the chapter, said Mark Briscoe, executive director of Sigma Pi.

This decision was made by local alumni and the national headquarters and was based on negotiations and a series of chapter reviews that began in spring 2009, he said.

“There have been several unfortunate circumstances that have caused us to do membership reviews,” Briscoe said.

Assistant Dean of Students Steve Veldkamp said that Sigma Pi Fraternity has had a number of Student Code violations over the past three years regarding alcohol misuse.

These University code violations in conjunction with national Sigma Pi policy violations incited a hands-on response from the alumni, Briscoe said.

He said the decision to establish an alumni trusteeship was not based on one incident, but rather on a track record of members not living up to the values of Sigma Pi Fraternity.

“There was no cooperation between the active chapter, the alumni and the executive chapter,” Briscoe said. “That needed to be addressed.”

Under alumni trusteeship, members of Sigma Pi will face extensive fraternity reorganization. Local alumni will allow only certain members to rejoin the fraternity, Briscoe said.

Those who are not asked to rejoin will have the option of either resigning their membership or applying for alumni status, according to the press release.

Assistant Executive Director of Sigma Pi Jonathan Frost will visit IU on Nov. 1 to begin reorganization and to train the students that will make up the reformed chapter.

“He is going to train them in chapter operations so that they can take the chapter back over, out of trusteeship, as soon as possible,” Briscoe said.

He said that the reestablishment of Sigma Pi at IU is dependent on the actions of the undergraduates, though the executive board hopes and expects this to occur within the academic year.

“We expect to see a Beta chapter like we have had in previous years,” Briscoe said. “Over the past couple years this chapter has not been at a level of excellence. We want to remain a strong chapter in the IU community. All parties are working very hard to see that happen.”