Hazing incident closes fraternity

One of Kansas University’s oldest fraternities is closing, the result of a probe into hazing allegations.

Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc. announced Friday it was revoking the charter of its KU chapter after confirming violations “primarily related to the treatment of candidate (pledged) members.”

KU Sigma Nu members learned of the closure Thursday night.

“Everybody was stunned,” said Robbie Lee, a freshman. “Everybody was just disappointed and angry.”

Specifics of the allegations were difficult to come by. Brad Beacham, executive director for the national organization, did not return calls Friday.

But the KU chapter was placed on probation after a 2003 hazing incident in which a freshman suffered a head injury during a ritual in which older members threw pledges into the air.

Local members said there had been no specific incident since then that triggered the closure.

“Since the first incident, (the national chapter) wanted a lot of changes, and that got us to where we are now,” said Justin McAuley, a junior. “They thought there should have been a lot more progress from two years ago.”

The Sigma Nu fraternity at 1501 Sigma Nu Place

Local members said the national chapter considered several practices that placed pledges in subordinate roles – including assigning chores and giving pledges a curfew – to be hazing.

But Tony Moss, a KU Sigma Nu freshman, said he didn’t mind the tasks.

“I felt like I was earning my spot at Sigma Nu,” he said.

Matt Bizal, a sophomore, said the fraternity was based on respect.

“You have to have respect for the house,” he said. “You start low. You have to earn your way (up).”

Marlesa Roney, KU’s vice provost for students success, issued a statement.

“Hazing of any kind is a violation of human dignity,” the statement said. “It is always taken seriously and immediately confronted by this university. We absolutely will not tolerate this type of behavior.”

On Friday morning, private security hired by Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc. reported several stolen items at its mansion, 1501 Sigma Nu Place, including two emergency exit signs, a portrait of house founders and other wallhangings, a police report said.

There was no evidence of a break-in. Lawrence Police are investigating, Sgt. Dan Ward said.

The fraternity, one of the oldest on campus, has 50 members and 24 pledges. Sixty men were living in the house. The national organization said more than 2,000 students had been members during the chapter’s 121 years at KU.

KU spokesman Todd Cohen said a typical scenario would be the charter would be closed for four years, reopening only when there was a completely new class of students.

Several members were packing up Friday. They have 30 days to leave and are looking for new places to live.

“Two best years of my life,” said Collin Chlebak, a junior. “It just feels like this is really unfair.”