The national headquarters of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity is closing its University of Mississippi chapter after three of its members were suspected of hanging a noose around the neck of a civil rights icon.
The statue that was targeted was that of James Meredith, the first black student to attend the university.
The fraternity’s CEO said that the statue desecration was not the direct cause of the chapter closing, but it did prompt an investigation, which uncovered hazing, underage drinking, alcohol abuse and lack of compliance with Ole Miss’ codes of conduct.
“Sigma Phi Epsilon is committed to being a different kind of fraternity – one that recognizes the importance of the out-of-classroom experience and is committed to making that experience the safest and most empowering part of a college male’s life,” said SigEp CEO Brian Warren in a statement. “Though it’s always painful to close a chapter, these students’ actions clearly illustrate a determination to perpetuate an experience based on risky and unconstructive behavior. In these cases, we have no choice but to close the chapter and return to campus at a later date.”
Three freshmen members of the fraternity are suspected of hanging a noose around the statue of Meredith two months ago.
The chapter was informed of the decision via a video conference on Thursday. The national headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon is working with the University of Mississippi to discuss a return date of the fraternity to the campus.
Photo Credit: SigEp NV Alpha ‘03 via Compfight cc
