Fraternity Sigma Chi, which lost its university endorsement
spring quarter 2004, has now been reinstated as an official UCLA
fraternity after its petition to be reinstated was approved Sept.
24.
According to a statement sent by Joan Brown, associate director
for the Center for Student Programming, the fraternity was
reinstated after submitting the petition Sept. 14.
“We are gratified to receive this favorable decision from
UCLA as we believe it recognizes the progress that has been made by
the chapter and the quality of the men who are its members,”
said Gene Erbstoesser, Sigma Chi’s chapter adviser.
The fraternity lost university endorsement at the end of March
following allegations that new members were being hazed. These
allegations came about while the fraternity was already on
probation for serving alcohol at its annual Derby Days charity
event.
In the original document revoking Sigma Chi’s recognition,
Dean of Students Robert Naples drafted a number of conditions to be
met before Sigma Chi would be considered for reinstatement,
including reorganizing its new member education policy to prevent
hazing and compliance with rules set for officially recognized
fraternities. These conditions also required the establishment of a
graduate resident adviser.
Despite the original conditions, the fraternity did not have an
official graduate resident adviser established and was still in the
process of selecting one on Monday.
Sigma Chi’s suspension also comes with certain
stipulations, as the fraternity has moved to a status that grants
it certain university rights and privileges ““ like access to
CSP services and eligibility for the Interfraternity Council
““ but restricts other activities.
Sigma Chi can conduct only two social events each quarter, and
at only one of those events is alcohol allowed. The conditions also
state that the fraternity must be “substance free in all
common areas” and require presentations about hazing and
biweekly meetings with Scott Carter, fraternity adviser.
If Sigma Chi meets the set requirements during its suspension,
the fraternity could submit another petition requesting
probationary status. If granted, the fraternity would be on
probation starting June 2005 and continuing through December with
no specific restrictions.
The Interfraternity Council, the governing body for 19 UCLA
fraternities, has not officially reintegrated Sigma Chi into the
council, letting the fraternity and the university work out the
details of its reinstatement. Sigma Chi is still not listed on the
IFC’s Web site.
So far, there has been little communication between the
Interfraternity Council and Sigma Chi, said Mike Hanna, IFC
president.
“We’re eager to see what happens,” Hanna said.
“It’s been in the university’s hands.”