Sigma Phi Epsilon, an East Tennessee State University fraternity, is back on campus and “ready to hit the ground running” says Thomas Amburgey, Sigma Phi Epsilon president.
In the Fall of 2001, Sig Phi 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. It took place at the chapter’s off-campus house, which is located near campus at 719 W. Maple St.
Sig Ep’s expulsion was handed down by ETSU officials and meant that the fraternity was not allowed to officially 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 had been 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 Sig Ep 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, Sig Ep 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 Sig Ep’s 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.
Sig Phi Epsilon will remain on probation for two years, during which time the alumni advisory council will remain in place. Any major violations made by Sig Ep while on probation could result in permanent expulsion from campus.Editor’s note: This story also ran in the Sept. 29 issue of the East Tennessean. Although we strive for accuracy in every issue, Sigma Phi Epsilon was mistakenly referred to as Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the Sept. 29 issue. We would like to apologize to the students from each fraternity for the error.

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