The University of Iowa has removed the registered student organization status for the Kappa Sigma, Delta Chi, and Sigma Nu fraternity chapters, as well as the Sigma Alpha Epsilon colony. The action comes after the conclusion of comprehensive investigations into incidents involving hazing and alcohol.

“Parents and families send their loved ones to the UI with the expectation that their safety, health, and well-being will be the top priority,” says UI President J. Bruce Harreld. “These decisions honor that expectation.”

The Kappa Sigma International Fraternity voted to revoke the charter of the Beta-Rho chapter and the UI removed the chapter’s status as a registered student organization after an investigation confirmed violations of both university and international fraternity policies regarding alcohol and hazing.

The university also removed Delta Chi, Sigma Nu, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s student organization registration status after an investigation confirmed multiple violations of university policy and the Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) moratorium, including tailgates.

As a result, the fraternities will not continue to operate as a recognized fraternity or a registered student organization at the UI. Failure to comply with this directive is a violation of the UI Code of Student Life and could result in disciplinary action for individual students.

“Our mission at the UI is the success of our students, and we haven’t made these decisions easily,” says Melissa Shivers, vice president for student life and interim chief diversity officer. “We will not allow the positive impact of most of the community to be overshadowed or undermined by the actions of a few. Any chapter that refuses to abide by policies will not have a place on this campus.”

The university also has completed investigations involving the other Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities placed on temporary suspension for allegations, including tailgates. The associate dean and executive director of the Iowa Memorial Union has followed up with individual chapters to share the outcomes, which include:

• Phi Kappa Psi: There was not a preponderance of evidence to find the chapter responsible for allegations, including tailgates.
• Sigma Chi: There was not a preponderance of evidence to find the chapter responsible for allegations, including tailgates.
• Acacia: Placed on probation
• Beta Theta Pi: Placed on probation
• Pi Kappa Alpha: Placed on probation
• Pi Kappa Phi: Placed on probation
• Sigma Phi Epsilon: Placed on probation
• Sigma Pi: Placed on probation
• Phi Delta Theta: Placed on deferred suspension

An accused student organization may appeal its decision by filing a written notice of appeal to the Office of the Dean of Students following the receipt of the decision. More information about the UI’s registered student organization discipline procedure can be found here: https://dos.uiowa.edu/policies/discipline-of-registered-student-organizations/.

“The UI has a long and proud history of fraternity and sorority life on campus,” says Shivers. “We have worked hard over the past 16 months to ensure the future success of the FSL community by working to continue having conversations about strategies to help reduce underage or harmful alcohol consumption, providing a structure for successful social events, and rewarding chapter compliance.”

In May 2017, the IFC and Panhellenic Council (PHC) decided to enact a moratorium on events with alcohol after the death of an IFC chapter member. The university has spent more than a year working diligently on how it can best support and partner with the FSL community, and it continues to invest in programs, initiatives, and planning to help shape what the FSL culture is like for those on campus.

In spring 2018, the UI started a pilot program allowing all IFC and PHC chapters in good standing with their respective council and the UI Office of Student Accountability to host up to three registered social events per semester.

In August 2018, the development of the FSL 2020 Strategic Plan began to help provide a clear path to reinvigorate and refine FSL culture at the UI, keeping the UI’s mission of student success at the forefront.

The Strategic Planning Work Group is preparing to share draft recommendations with Shivers by the end of the year to complete deliverables related to:

• Risk management, health, and safety;
• Peer accountability and transparency;
• Continuous improvement and assessment of programs and initiatives;
• Recruitment and membership processes;
• On-campus housing options;
• Relationship with regional and inter/national fraternity and sorority officials; and
• House director support and development.

Implementation of the approved recommendations will begin no later than spring 2019.