Oct. 3, 2003

Contact: Todd Cohen, University Relations, (785) 864-8858.

KU places fraternity on probation for hazing, bans social events with alcohol

LAWRENCE -- Following an administrative disciplinary hearing related to hazing allegations, the University of Kansas has placed the Sigma Nu fraternity on disciplinary probation until December 2004.

The university hearing panel, composed of university staff and a student, determined that the fraternity violated KU's code of student rights and responsibilities when a student was injured in an Aug. 13 incident at the fraternity.

As conditions of the probation, the fraternity must complete a plan of corrective measures before the chapter can be reinstated to good standing with the university. The chapter could be suspended if it fails to complete any of the sanctions, which include:

 • Prohibiting the chapter from hosting or attending any social functions that involve alcohol until June 2004

 • Establishing one or more new traditions in connection with the chapter's longstanding "work week" and "sound-off" activities that include creating safe and responsible activities when the work is completed

 • Reviewing and reconsidering in a written report to the KU Center for Campus Life all house traditions to determine whether they are appropriate and valuable. The findings must be presented to Interfraternity and Panhellenic council leadership meetings, published in the campus fraternity/sorority newsletter, presented at a workshop at new officer training and other fraternity and sorority leadership programs, and presented to new members in Sigma Nu and other fraternity chapters.

 • Attending all fraternity and sorority community new-member and general educational programs and meetings

 • Hosting at least two social activities that do not include alcohol before May 1, 2004. The activities may not be related to any philanthropic projects.

 • Chapter members may participate in intramural sports but are ineligible to compete for championship points.

Richard Johnson, associate vice provost and dean of students, issued the sanctions and said that the plan was designed to eliminate future acts of hazing within the chapter, review the new-member program at the chapter and make changes, and share those changes with others in the fraternity community.

"The university absolutely will not tolerate hazing, and we are committed to eliminating this dangerous activity in our fraternity and sorority community," Johnson said.

The fraternity has until Nov. 1 to appeal these actions to the University Judicial Board.