After several years of hazing investigations, ASU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity chapter will close, according to a statement from its national organization dated Nov. 27.
The closure comes following a joint investigation between Sigma Phi Epsilon and ASU, according to a spokesperson from the fraternity's headquarters.
The ASU chapter, Arizona Alpha, was disbanded by the fraternity’s National Board of Directors.
An investigation this fall concluded that chapter members have continued to engage in hazing behaviors despite interventions from both ASU and Sigma Phi Epsilon, which violates safety policies.
“SigEp’s purpose is to develop balanced men who make a difference in their communities,” said Sigma Phi Epsilon CEO Brian Warren Jr., in a written statement provided to The State Press. “We provide education, resources and mentoring to guide our students to create a positive environment and foster a culture of dignity and respect.
“When they fail to live up to our values and expectations, the Fraternity must hold our chapters and individuals accountable for their poor decisions.”
Sigma Phi Epsilon has more than 13,000 undergraduate students on 210 campuses across the United States, the statement said.
According to the 2017-18 Annual Greek Report by ASU, Sigma Phi Epsilon at ASU had the highest percentage of chapter members with leadership positions in non-greek organizations at 65%.
From 2017 to 2018, the fraternity had 69 members, according to the annual report. At its peak in 2013, Sigma Phi Epsilon had 150 registered members at ASU, according to the report.
ASU was unable to provide a comment by the time of publication. Additionally, an email to the ASU Sigma Phi Epsilon president was not returned by the time of publication.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Reach the reporter at kreinha3@asu.edu and follow @ReinhartKatelyn on Twitter.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
