Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession)
Respect for Community I1B (Social policy - 1.D.11.a - Irresponsible Distribution of Alcohol)
Respect for Community I1 (Posted Rules and Regulations)
INCIDENT SUMMARY:A student was transported to St. Luke's after being provided alcohol at an off campus party hosted by Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Sigma Phi Epsilon took responsibility for the following charges, any other listed charges were dropped: Respect for Community I1B (Social policy - 1.D.11.a - Irresponsible Distribution of Alcohol)
SANCTIONS
As a result of this behavior the following sanction(s) will be imposed:
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity is placed on disciplinary probation effective February 11, 2016 through May 31, 2016. Disciplinary probation is the conditional continuation of a group or organization for a specified period of time not to exceed four semesters. This status implies that any further violation of this Code of Conduct may result in dissolution, termination, or other authorized sanctions. Other sanctions may be imposed, including limitations on social activities, and additional requirements may be imposed as conditions for reinstatement of recognition in good standing.
The following educational sanction is being imposed: Affirmation of all sanctions assigned by IJC.
The following educational sanction is being imposed: TIPS training for all new members. It is to be completed by May 31, 2016.
The following educational sanction is being imposed. Submission of all standards boards decisions/outcomes for the individuals involved in these incidents. It is to be completed by March 18, 2016.
Please see below for a message from the Interfraternity Council's Judicial Committee.
The IFC Judicial Committee was made aware of alleged violations regarding recruitment practices and the hospital transport of a first-year student following a recruitment party hosted by Sigma Phi Epsilon. After meeting with Sigma Phi Epsilon's president and recruitment chairmen, the IFC's Judicial Committee found the chapter responsible and has imposed the following sanctions:
The organization is placed on a 5-day Suspension from Recruitment through 2pm on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 and will be assessed a $500 fine payable to the Interfraternity Council. The IJC Chairman and Hearing Officers agree that Sigma Phi Epsilon’s current interim suspension by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs which commenced on Friday at 5pm would factor into this sanction counting as the 3 initial days. It is our belief that recruitment is essential to the success of our Greek community, and we believe that these sanctions should not hinder Sigma Phi Epsilon’s recruitment efforts any further than necessary.
In the same spirit, the organization is required to host an informational meeting to its recruits on Tuesday evening to inform them of this situation and to stress the importance of caring for the health of safety of the individuals that affiliate with the organization. It is our hope that Sigma Phi Epsilon informs their Potential New Members how they have addressed this situation and intend to move forward with safer practices in the future. We encourage the chapter leadership to work with their Assistant Director to frame the message they want to get across to first-year students. This meeting will not be considered a violation to the chapter’s suspension and will be monitored by IFC Executive Board members.
In addition, the Sigma Phi Epsilon’s executive board is required to meet with the IFC leadership to discuss how the organization plans to move on from this situation and outline the steps the organization plans on taking to learn and grow from their mistakes. We ask that the organization reach out to the IFC in a timely manner in order to schedule this meeting.Sigma Phi Epsilon is also required to provide alcohol education to their Spring of 2016 New Member class. It is our strong recommendation that the chapter work with their Assistant Director to put together a meaningful plan for their new member class. If the chapter is not already required to do so, we recommend that their new members be required to get TIPS certified. In the event that the OFSA does require that certification from all the new members we require that Sigma Phi Epsilon provide a supplemental programming to their new members to reinforce this message.
The IJC would like to stress that failure to comply with all of the aforementioned sanctions will be in direct violation of the Committee’s decision and will warrant the opening of a new conduct case.
It is our hope the the IJC continues to grow and improves peer accountability in our Greek community. The events of February 2nd are regrettable. However, we believe we are taking positive steps to penalize unacceptable behavior in our community and to foster growth and learning for the chapters involved.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the IFC leadership.
The organization is placed on a 5-day Suspension from Recruitment through 2pm on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 and will be assessed a $500 fine payable to the Interfraternity Council. The IJC Chairman and Hearing Officers agree that Sigma Phi Epsilon’s current interim suspension by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs which commenced on Friday at 5pm would factor into this sanction counting as the 3 initial days. It is our belief that recruitment is essential to the success of our Greek community, and we believe that these sanctions should not hinder Sigma Phi Epsilon’s recruitment efforts any further than necessary.
In the same spirit, the organization is required to host an informational meeting to its recruits on Tuesday evening to inform them of this situation and to stress the importance of caring for the health of safety of the individuals that affiliate with the organization. It is our hope that Sigma Phi Epsilon informs their Potential New Members how they have addressed this situation and intend to move forward with safer practices in the future. We encourage the chapter leadership to work with their Assistant Director to frame the message they want to get across to first-year students. This meeting will not be considered a violation to the chapter’s suspension and will be monitored by IFC Executive Board members.
In addition, the Sigma Phi Epsilon’s executive board is required to meet with the IFC leadership to discuss how the organization plans to move on from this situation and outline the steps the organization plans on taking to learn and grow from their mistakes. We ask that the organization reach out to the IFC in a timely manner in order to schedule this meeting.Sigma Phi Epsilon is also required to provide alcohol education to their Spring of 2016 New Member class. It is our strong recommendation that the chapter work with their Assistant Director to put together a meaningful plan for their new member class. If the chapter is not already required to do so, we recommend that their new members be required to get TIPS certified. In the event that the OFSA does require that certification from all the new members we require that Sigma Phi Epsilon provide a supplemental programming to their new members to reinforce this message.
The IJC would like to stress that failure to comply with all of the aforementioned sanctions will be in direct violation of the Committee’s decision and will warrant the opening of a new conduct case.
It is our hope the the IJC continues to grow and improves peer accountability in our Greek community. The events of February 2nd are regrettable. However, we believe we are taking positive steps to penalize unacceptable behavior in our community and to foster growth and learning for the chapters involved.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the IFC leadership.
--The Interfraternity Council Chairman and Hearing Officers
Please see a message below from the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs.
Effective immediately all activities related to men’s recruitment for Sigma Phi Epsilon at Lehigh University have been temporarily suspended. This
action is being taken because of alleged University policy violations by the
chapter and its members across one incident.
Allegations include endangering the health and safety of students,
providing alcohol to minors, and failure to adhere to medical amnesty.
This interim suspension mandates that the collective membership and/or individual members cannot engage in any kind of recruitment effort or activity on behalf of Sigma Phi Epsilon both on and off campus.
The Office of Student Conduct
& Community Expectations will begin an investigation and this interim
suspension will remain in effect until the formal resolution of these
allegations is concluded. Failure to
comply with the terms of interim suspension and/or any effort to retaliate
against those individuals involved will result in additional charges.
Additionally, the Lehigh
University Code of Conduct requires that students and student organizations not
only know and adhere to the Code of Conduct but cooperate with the University
when investigating violations.
The alumni leadership and national officers will be contacted and are copied on this memo as well. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at (610) 758-4157.
The alumni leadership and national officers will be contacted and are copied on this memo as well. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at (610) 758-4157.