Just months after returning to the University of Iowa in spring 2024 following its removal for hazing in 2018 — when it was just re-establishing itself after closing in 2012 due to hazing — the UI chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon already is facing interim suspension, again, due to hazing allegations.
The allegations came to the UI Office of Student Accountability via anonymous email “that students were in the basement of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter structure,” according to the office’s Nov. 20 notice of interim suspension.
“Along with this email was an included video showing multiple students in the basement performing exercises at the appearance of command of other students,” according to the letter. “Based on university records, there are no current occupants for the chapter structure for Sigma Alpha Epsilon.”
The house at 302 Ridgeland Ave., according to assessor’s records, is owned by Sigma Alpha Epsilon — which chartered a UI chapter in 1905, the same year it chartered a chapter at Iowa State University.
Although the UI Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter was investigated for hazing complaints in 2008 and 2009, its headquarters didn’t close the Iowa City chapter until 2012 — expelling all its members “as a result of hazing and the chapter’s failure to comply with our standards, guidelines, and policies set forth by the membership agreement and Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s governing laws.”
Neither the university nor fraternity headquarters shared specifics about the hazing at that time, but UI officials released a statement indicating alcohol was involved.
“The university does not tolerate hazing or unsafe and illegal consumption of alcohol in any of its student organizations,” according to the university. “As such, we fully support the swift action taken this weekend by Sigma Alpha Epsilon's national organization, and a further university investigation into individual violations of the Code of Student Life is in progress.”
Three years later in 2015, Iowa State revoked its Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter’s student organization status — while its national council suspended it for at least four years — for “student disciplinary regulation” violations.
Back on the UI campus, Sigma Alpha Epsilon began its process of return in 2016 by starting a “colony” — a probationary body — before it was among four fraternities stripped of their campus recognition and student organization status in 2018.
Investigations confirmed hazing and alcohol violations, with then-UI President Bruce Harreld saying, “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.”
“These decisions honor that expectation.”
Iowa State’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter returned to that campus in fall 2020, and the organization’s UI chapter made its return last spring — reporting 18 total members, all new, with a combined grade-point average of 3.286.
Seven months later, though, the university in November sent its interim suspension notice.
“Due to the gravity of the report, effective immediately, I am issuing an interim suspension of all operations and activities of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Iowa pending the outcome of the investigation into the allegations,” according to the Office of Student Accountability. “This decision was based on information available to me to date regarding the reported concerns, the nature of the concerns, and concerns for the safety and well-being of members of the chapter.”
The chapter, specifically, was accused of violating the university’s rules prohibiting hazing and “misconduct on organizational property.”
The notification didn’t expand on the allegations, and neither the UI chapter nor its national organization responded to questions from The Gazette on Monday.
The interim suspension means Sigma Alpha Epsilon can’t participate in any sponsored meetings and programs, intramurals, or related events.
The notice advised the chapter it can appeal the interim suspension within 10 business days of getting the letter — but UI officials told The Gazette it has had no further communication with the chapter since that notice was sent.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the second UI fraternity placed on interim suspension so far this academic year — following Alpha Delta Phi’s hazing investigation also reported in November.
In that case, police were dispatched to the house at 703 N. Dubuque St. early Nov. 15 for a fire alarm and found “56 fraternity pledges in the basement, blindfolded with food thrown on them,” according to an arrest report.
The letter noted, additionally, that officers found possible violations of the municipal fire code in the house.
That chapter did appeal — arguing its own investigation found the incident was the “sole responsibility” of two people.
“Through personal statements of admission, the final report states that these two individuals came up with the event, carried it out, and acted outside the directives of chapter leadership and the official plan for our initiation events,” according to the appeal. “Their actions are both disappointing and harmful to the chapter.”
The university denied that appeal and kept it suspended.
Both hazing incidents come as colleges and universities nationally are being required to start collecting hazing statistics as part of the passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act — signed into law Dec. 23, 2024.
Taking effect Jan. 1, the bill expands the Clery Act’s reporting requirements to hazing — not just in fraternities and sororities but in clubs, teams, and other student or campus organizations involving members.
www.thegazette.com
The allegations came to the UI Office of Student Accountability via anonymous email “that students were in the basement of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter structure,” according to the office’s Nov. 20 notice of interim suspension.
“Along with this email was an included video showing multiple students in the basement performing exercises at the appearance of command of other students,” according to the letter. “Based on university records, there are no current occupants for the chapter structure for Sigma Alpha Epsilon.”
The house at 302 Ridgeland Ave., according to assessor’s records, is owned by Sigma Alpha Epsilon — which chartered a UI chapter in 1905, the same year it chartered a chapter at Iowa State University.
Although the UI Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter was investigated for hazing complaints in 2008 and 2009, its headquarters didn’t close the Iowa City chapter until 2012 — expelling all its members “as a result of hazing and the chapter’s failure to comply with our standards, guidelines, and policies set forth by the membership agreement and Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s governing laws.”
Neither the university nor fraternity headquarters shared specifics about the hazing at that time, but UI officials released a statement indicating alcohol was involved.
“The university does not tolerate hazing or unsafe and illegal consumption of alcohol in any of its student organizations,” according to the university. “As such, we fully support the swift action taken this weekend by Sigma Alpha Epsilon's national organization, and a further university investigation into individual violations of the Code of Student Life is in progress.”
Three years later in 2015, Iowa State revoked its Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter’s student organization status — while its national council suspended it for at least four years — for “student disciplinary regulation” violations.
Back on the UI campus, Sigma Alpha Epsilon began its process of return in 2016 by starting a “colony” — a probationary body — before it was among four fraternities stripped of their campus recognition and student organization status in 2018.
Investigations confirmed hazing and alcohol violations, with then-UI President Bruce Harreld saying, “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.”
“These decisions honor that expectation.”
Iowa State’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter returned to that campus in fall 2020, and the organization’s UI chapter made its return last spring — reporting 18 total members, all new, with a combined grade-point average of 3.286.
Seven months later, though, the university in November sent its interim suspension notice.
“Due to the gravity of the report, effective immediately, I am issuing an interim suspension of all operations and activities of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Iowa pending the outcome of the investigation into the allegations,” according to the Office of Student Accountability. “This decision was based on information available to me to date regarding the reported concerns, the nature of the concerns, and concerns for the safety and well-being of members of the chapter.”
The chapter, specifically, was accused of violating the university’s rules prohibiting hazing and “misconduct on organizational property.”
The notification didn’t expand on the allegations, and neither the UI chapter nor its national organization responded to questions from The Gazette on Monday.
The interim suspension means Sigma Alpha Epsilon can’t participate in any sponsored meetings and programs, intramurals, or related events.
The notice advised the chapter it can appeal the interim suspension within 10 business days of getting the letter — but UI officials told The Gazette it has had no further communication with the chapter since that notice was sent.
Stop Campus Hazing Act signed into law
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the second UI fraternity placed on interim suspension so far this academic year — following Alpha Delta Phi’s hazing investigation also reported in November.
In that case, police were dispatched to the house at 703 N. Dubuque St. early Nov. 15 for a fire alarm and found “56 fraternity pledges in the basement, blindfolded with food thrown on them,” according to an arrest report.
The letter noted, additionally, that officers found possible violations of the municipal fire code in the house.
That chapter did appeal — arguing its own investigation found the incident was the “sole responsibility” of two people.
“Through personal statements of admission, the final report states that these two individuals came up with the event, carried it out, and acted outside the directives of chapter leadership and the official plan for our initiation events,” according to the appeal. “Their actions are both disappointing and harmful to the chapter.”
The university denied that appeal and kept it suspended.
Both hazing incidents come as colleges and universities nationally are being required to start collecting hazing statistics as part of the passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act — signed into law Dec. 23, 2024.
Taking effect Jan. 1, the bill expands the Clery Act’s reporting requirements to hazing — not just in fraternities and sororities but in clubs, teams, and other student or campus organizations involving members.
UI fraternity again suspended for hazing, just months after returning
Just months after returning to the University of Iowa in spring 2024 following its removal for hazing in 2018 — when it was just re-establishing itself after closing in 2012 due to hazing — the UI chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon already is facing interim suspension, again, due to hazing allegations.
www.thegazette.com
