CSU fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon has been put on probation by the university following policy issues that occurred in Spring of 2013.
Sigma Phi Epsilon is not disaffiliating from CSU, but they are currently working with the university to fulfill a one-year probation sentence.
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“(They are) definitely not disaffiliated. They are still a fraternity through our office; they are still recognized by SLiCE as a recognized student organization,” said Lindsay Sell, director of fraternity and sorority life. “They are operating as a full part of our community.”
According to a member of the CSU Greek Life Council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, SigEp was put on probation after breaking the risk management policies about traveling to events.
When a Greek chapter travels by bus to a function, those members who take the bus before the event must also board it after the event ends. Not all SigEp members returned by bus, which is against risk management policies because the university remains liable for all individuals at the event.
When a chapter is on probation, they cannot represent the university, hold office within the university or participate with intercollegiate athletics, according to Jody Donovan, Ph.D., dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs.
The Inter-Fraternity Council President Kent Shnacke and Vice President of Public Relations Cole Conley were both Sigma Phi Epsilon members, which meant they couldn’t remain in their positions, pursuant to being on probation.
But the pair appealed their removal. Their argument was that they were not representing Sigma Phi Epsilon in their roles but the Greek Life system as a whole, Donovan said.
“General officers are there to represent the entire Greek system and act on behalf of the entire university system,” Donovan said.
After the appeal, the decision was made to keep both Shnacke and Conley in their officer positions.
“We took all of the feedback (from the students in the Greek system) and then made the decision that the two would be able to stay in their positions because that would be in the best interests of the IFC,” Donovan said.
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Sigma Phi Epsilon President Quinn Booth said that the fraternity has accepted what the university has handed down and they are moving forward.
“We have gone through the conflict resolution process,” Booth said. “We have all been proactively working to move SigEp forward and make sure that (we) are still a dominant Greek house here on this campus.”
As for the disaffiliation rumors, Booth said they have heard them and they are concerned.
“We’re committed to CSU. We love being a CSU student organization. We love being a member of the IFC. We love all the guys and all the chapters on the council and we wouldn’t want to damage that reputation at all,” Booth said.
Collegian Senior Reporter Corrie Sahling can be reached at news@collegian.com.
