Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter at UNC Greensboro Suspended for Hazing and Recruitment Violations

The Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp) chapter at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) has been suspended for a decade after an investigation revealed recruitment violations and hazing. The suspension prohibits the fraternity from any "University Affiliation," meaning its activities on campus will be severely restricted or even terminated.

UNC-Greensboro announced the suspension of its SigEp chapter for a period of 10 years following a thorough investigation that uncovered violations of university policies regarding recruitment and anti-hazing. The university received multiple serious allegations from various sources, including students, prompting the investigation.

Despite confirming the investigation and suspension, UNCG declined to provide specific details about the allegations against the fraternity. However, the university statement emphasized that "any activity that jeopardizes the health and safety of our students will not be tolerated."

To date, no arrests or individual student conduct actions have been taken, as the university's actions are primarily directed towards the organization itself. UNCG maintains its commitment to supporting fraternities and sororities that uphold values of academic, personal, and leadership development while adhering to university standards.

Sigma Phi Epsilon headquarters acknowledges the suspension and reiterates that hazing has no place in the fraternity's experience. SigEp emphasizes its commitment to collaborating with host institutions to ensure student safety and holds itself accountable for actions that compromise student well-being.

The fraternity's statement outlines its purpose of developing balanced leaders in a safe and respectful environment. SigEp vows to gather more information and determine the necessary next steps for the UNCG chapter.

This suspension is one of many recent incidents involving allegations against the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. In 2022, the Miami chapter of SigEp was shut down after a video surfaced showing members engaging in an explicit chant.

Additionally, the Charlotte chapter at the University of North Carolina faced a four-year suspension in 2017 for hazing allegations. In previous years, allegations of hazing and other misconduct have been leveled against SigEp chapters at Yale University, the University of Mississippi, and Clemson University.

Following these incidents, SigEp has implemented significant changes to its policies and practices to address hazing and promote student safety. The fraternity ended pledging and adopted a non-hazing, substance-free approach. SigEp also launched the "Live Your Oath" partnership with Alpha Delta Pi to combat sexual assault awareness on campus.

In 2019, SigEp withdrew from the National Interfraternity Conference due to concerns over its commitment to student health and safety. The fraternity believes that its modern approaches, including non-pledging and substance-free policies, have improved student safety, academic success, and professional preparedness.

SigEp maintains that hazing has no place in its experience and that it does not hesitate to take action against chapters and members who violate its policies. The fraternity's spokesperson highlights the intention of these changes as not merely to rebrand the fraternity's image but to provide a valuable, safe college experience that prepares students for future leadership roles.