After four-year suspension, fraternity returns to IU

Four years after being suspended from IU, Sigma Alpha Epsilon will begin its reinstatement this year, said Dean of Students Dick McKaig. The fraternity was banned from IU in 2002 for serving alcohol to minors. In addition, the fraternity accumulated $125,000 in payments, late fees and interest -- all of which were to be settled with the bank. \nWhile there was originally a foreclosure action placed on the fraternity, which would have prevented SAE from rebuilding its house on campus, the case was dismissed after it went to a Monroe Circuit Court following the purchase of the loan by another lender.\nNow that the foreclosure is settled, SAE intends to re-colonize this year at IU. Despite being reinstated into the Greek life on campus, McKaig said it will take years before it becomes a fully functional fraternity again. SAE will begin fund-raising so it can demolish its old house at 115 N. Jordan Ave. and re-build a new one in the same location. The process is predicted to take two or three years. While SAE is waiting for its new house to be built, McKaig said he expects the fraternity to have anywhere from 20 to 40 members. This number is expected to grow to more than 100 members. \nSAE will also be placed under scrutiny from its national organization and will have to meet specific grade point average guidelines and have a required number of members in the house. The national organization will complete the recruitment process this fall for who will hold house offices -- such as president and treasurer. Once the house positions are filled, members will be selected. \nAs a result of being suspended once from campus for alcohol related problems, the national organization may place SAE under strict guidelines to prevent another occurrence. However, McKaig said that SAE will begin with a "clean slate" at IU and will not be subject to more stringent rules. \nSAE is the largest social fraternity in the United States and hopes to carry on its tradition at IU beginning this fall.