Video: Ole Miss Fraternity Suspended; Sigma Chi Responds

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OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI)-An Ole Miss fraternity is suspended for alcohol violation.

The Eta chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity is suspended from the Ole Miss campus through the fall 2013 semester for violation of the university alcohol policy.

The fraternity was already on probation due to a previous violation.

According to university policy, an organization that violates alcohol policy while on probation automatically receives a one semester suspension.

The fraternity was also found guilty of disorderly conduct, disregard for university authority, and failure to follow the guidelines for registration of activities.

The university judicial council voted unanimously on all counts.

Current members are allowed to continue living in the house and receive meals at the house through the end of the semester.

Upon reinstatement, Sigma Chi will remain on probation through the spring semester 2014.

THE ETA CHAPTER OF THE SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY:

APRIL 5, 2013 – University, MS – After a hearing from the University of Mississippi Judicial Council on April 4, 2013, the University has placed Sigma Chi under suspension for the Fall 2013 semester.

The University found the Eta Chapter guilty of illegal possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct, disregard for university authority and failure to follow the guidelines for registration of activities found in the Student Organization Handbook. The Eta Chapter previously had one strike in the University’s twostrike policy from the fall of 2012.

“The University’s two-strike policy for students and organizations is flawed and needs to be changed as it delivers major punishment for minor offenses. A first strike sets up the opportunity to fail for the second,” said Major Geoffrey Yoste, chapter advisor of the Eta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

The suspension includes no formal recruitment, no social activities, no housing, no meals, and no formal meetings will take place on the campus of the University. The suspension beings on May 13, 2013 and ends on January 1, 2014.

After the suspension is lifted in January of 2014, the Eta Chapter will be under social probation, with the allowance of philanthropic events; meals, room & board, and recruitment will also return.

“We’re disappointed with the outcome and we do plan to appeal and hope that a better outcome can come out of that process,” said Buckner Corso, president of the Eta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

This decision made by the University in no way revokes the charter given to the Eta Chapter by the Sigma Chi Fraternity in 1857. According to Sigma Chi International headquarters, the charter will remain intact.

“We are disappointed with the decision of the Judicial Council. We understand the importance of the relevant University policies and we want to continue to educate our members but we feel that this ruling will only hurt efforts to do that, no only at Sigma Chi, but across the Greek community at Ole Miss,” said Cameron Ray, vice-president of the Eta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Currently, the Eta Chapter employs six full-time employees in their house. The fate of their jobs is unknown at this time. All efforts will be made by the Eta Chapter to insure these individuals are properly compensated for their dismissal caused by the decision of the University.

The Eta Chapter, as a whole, is disappointed with the decision made by the University. These gentlemen will be without housing and a meal option for the next seven (7) months. Although these young men will not have a place on campus to call home or practice the rituals of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, their bond of brotherhood will endeavor.”

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