Sigma Pi Fraternity was suspended by IU and its national chapter last Friday.
The fraternity was suspended for hazing, endangering others, dishonest conduct and failure to comply with university and county directives, according to IU’s list of organizations on disciplinary status.
According to IU’s definition, suspension means an organization will cease its activities and disband. The Sigma Pi chapter is suspended until August 2023, when it will be eligible to return to campus upon meeting university requirements, IU spokesperson Chuck Carney said in an email to the Indiana Daily Student Monday evening.
“Sigma Pi had already voluntarily closed the chapter facility in November 2020 based upon guidance from the Monroe County Health Department following the chapter’s hosting of two large gatherings violating COVID-19 policies,” Carney wrote.
IU also placed Sigma Pi on cease and desist that same month.
Carney said the decision to close the chapter was mutually made between IU and Sigma Pi’s national leadership.
“The health, safety and wellbeing of our students is a top priority at IU,” he wrote.
The Indiana Daily Student received a statement from Sigma Pi’s director of communications Tuesday morning.
“As of April 15, 2021, Sigma Pi Fraternity, in conjunction with the administration of Indiana University has removed the recognition and revoked the charter for Beta Chapter,” it reads.
The statement said the decision to close the chapter was difficult to make because of the long-standing relationship between Sigma Pi and IU, with the Beta chapter first opening its doors in 1924.
“The Chapter committed violations of Sigma Pi Fraternity’s health and safety policies and protocols and showed a continued inability to adhere to the policies and regulations set forth by Indiana University, the Monroe County Public Health Department and the City of Bloomington,” the statement said. “Sigma Pi has resolved to hold its chapters accountable.”
The Fraternity will work with the Beta chapter alumni to develop new training programs and mentoring opportunities, according to the statement. Leadership will evaluate these programs and decide if the chapter should return to campus after its suspension ends in August 2023.
Before Sigma Pi, the most recent greek life suspension was in March 2019, when IU suspended its chapter of the Delta Chi Fraternity for similar reasons — hazing, endangering others, dishonest conduct and noncompliance.
On Monday evening, there were no cars in Sigma Pi’s parking lot on North Jordan Avenue. The house was dark and appeared empty. One UPS package was on the porch, undelivered. A note on the door read, “Sorry we missed you.”
UPDATE: This article was updated to include information from IU spokesperson Chuck Carney and Sigma Pi’s director of communications.
