UCLA revoked its sponsorship of fraternity Sigma Chi this week,
dissociating one of the campus’ largest Greek houses.
Berky Nelson, director of the Center for Student Programming,
declined to comment on the university’s reasons for ceasing
to recognize the fraternity but noted such action is only taken
“with serious thought and investigation.”
Other administrative officials contacted also declined to
comment, citing instructions from Nelson.
Outgoing house president T.J. Marston said the group still will
be recognized by the international organization Sigma Chi and said
not being affiliated with UCLA will not affect the fraternity on a
day-to-day basis.
“Whether or not we’re UCLA Sigma Chi or Sigma Chi
… doesn’t really affect us much,” Marston said.
One effect of the revocation Marston specifically noted is not
being allowed to compete against other fraternities in sporting
events organized by the Interfraternity Council, the governing body
for the 20 fraternities at UCLA.
Mike Hanna, president of the Interfraternity Council, declined
to comment on Sigma Chi’s situation.
Marston said the house won’t miss some of the other
privileges granted to them as a recognized body, but said,
“Obviously we’d rather have a better relationship with
the university.”
Marston also said the group had been working with UCLA officials
for “some time,” and that it had been given terms it
must abide by and changes it needs to make to be reinstated into
the UCLA Greek system.
Declining to mention the specific conditions stipulated by the
university, Marston said current plans call for the house to be
reevaluated by fall.
“We’re pretty confident with the path our house is
taking and improvements we’re going through,” Marston
said.
Last quarter, the UCLA administration placed sanctions on 11
campus sororities in response to an anonymous complaint about a
philanthropy event hosted by Sigma Chi, restricting social events
for all of sorority row.
The complaint centered around Derby Days, the fraternity’s
annual weeklong series of philanthropy events.
During spring 2003, the events included a sorority
“keg-off” in which teams from sororities competed to
finish kegs of beer.
University policy dictates fraternities and sororities must be
in compliance with federal, state and local laws as well as the
UCLA Student Alcohol Policy, which prohibits, among other things,
using alcohol as the primary focus of an event and participating in
drinking games.
To remove the restrictions this quarter, the sororities made an
agreement with the university that required 98 percent of the
membership of each sorority to pass a social policy test reviewing
Panhellenic and university policy governing the Greek system. Each
house was also required to complete a community service
project.
Ellen Archibald, sorority adviser in the Center for Student
Programming, said all houses fulfilled the necessary requirements
and that the restrictions on all those affected were lifted.
Rush events ““ during which houses hold events to attract
new members ““ for all fraternities took place this week and
end at 8 tonight, but it remains unclear how Sigma Chi’s
dissociation with the university will affect the house’s
future.
Marston said dealing with the house’s loss of affiliation
with the university while simultaneously hosting rush has been
challenging, but he said he is confident the house will retain its
presence at UCLA, with or without the university’s
recognition.
“It’s nothing we’re hiding,” he
said.
With reports from Charlotte Hsu, Bruin senior
staff.