Sigma Alpha Epsilon, an ETSU fraternity, is back on campus and “ready to hit the ground running” says Thomas Amburgey, the group’s president.
In the fall of 2001, Sigma Alpha Epsilon was suspended from campus after some of its members violated ETSU’s hazing policy during pledge activities. The incident involved at least four active members and three pledges.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s expulsion was handed down by ETSU officials and meant that the fraternity was not allowed to participate in university events or wear their letters on campus. An alumni advisory board was also brought in by the national chapter to clean house said Amburgey.
The board’s initial action was to evaluate how the local chapter had been operating and which members would continue to be assets to the group and which members would not.
The members directly involved in the incident were immediately expelled from the chapter, and Amburgey estimates that about 60 percent of approximately 30 members were later expelled either temporarily or permanently by the alumni advisory board.
With all of the internal change that has taken place in the last 18 months, the new and improved members of the fraternity are ready to make a fresh start.
“It has been a long 18 months, and everyone in the chapter is looking forward to this year,” said Drew Smith, Sigma Phi Epsilon chaplain.
Before being granted probationary reinstatement this fall,the fraternity had some other requirements to fulfill, such as, reimbursing the university an estimated $8,000 for tuition lost after the hazing victims withdrew from classes.
The most important step was the submission of new fraternity guidelines to Dr. Steven Bader, associate vice president of student services, for his approval.
Bader said the key elements required were an explicit written statement from the chapter agreeing to strictly adhere to ETSU’s hazing policy and the Interfraternity Council’s recruitment regulations. Bader also reviewed and approved a new recruitment and member development plan.
The plan is called the Balanced Man Program and focuses on continual member improvement throughout college to help prepare members for the future and promote a better sense of unity in the chapter.
“I feel regret for what happened two years ago but I feel we’ve done everything we can to rectify it, and we’re ready to move on,” Amburgey said.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon will remain on probation for two years, during which time the alumni advisory council will remain in place.
Any major violations made while on probation could result in permanent expulsion from campus.

Author