Sigma Nu pledges ran naked this fall through a Kansas University sorority house, but that’s not why the fraternity is being closed, says its chapter president.

Jason Shaad talked Monday, following a rash of weekend vandalism at the Sigma Nu house in the wake of Friday’s announcement the fraternity would be shut down due to hazing allegations. Shaad said members were contemplating an appeal of the action.

“I haven’t signed any leases yet,” Shaad said. “We want to know the options.”

Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc. announced Friday it was closing the KU house after confirming violations “primarily related to the treatment of candidate (pledged) members.” The men were told they would have about 30 days to vacate the house at 1501 Sigma Nu Place.

Brad Beacham, executive director for Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc., declined Monday to elaborate. But Shaad said the chapter wasn’t making changes fast enough following a 2003 hazing incident. In that case, a freshman suffered a head injury during a ritual in which older members threw pledges into the air.

“They wanted changes faster than we were able to do them,” Shaad said.

No intent to harm

The Sigma Nu fraternity at 1501 Sigma Nu Place

Shaad said that reasons cited for the closure were that some members felt pressured to drink alcohol, clean or do other activities.

But Shaad said that freshmen didn’t complain about cleaning duties, and that there was no pressure to drink at parties.

“Anybody at any time could have said: ‘I’m not drinking,’ and nobody would have cared,” he said.

A parade of Sigma Nu pledges and actives stripped naked and ran through the nearby Delta Gamma house. Shaad said that was something the pledges wanted to do, and they were not directed to do it.

“That was something I disapproved of,” he said.

He said the fraternity was working to get rid of arbitrary rules and traditions, such as rules requiring pledges to do everything that upperclassmen say, clean up messes and only use the bathroom closest to their room.

• 6News video: Vandals hit Sigma Nu house again (09-13-05)
• Hazing incident closes fraternity (09-10-05)
• 6News video: Sigma Nu’s charter revoked after hazing incident (09-09-05)
• Possible hazing incident investigated (09-02-05)
• 6News video: Possible hazing incident investigated (09-01-05)
• Fraternity put on probation for hazing (10-4-03)
• 6News video: Sigma Nu fraternity placed on probation (10-4-03)
• KU policy on hazing (See Art. 22, A-2)
• Sigma Nu Web site

“Our intent was never to physically harm someone or emotionally harm someone,” he said. “Our intent was to get guys to grow together stronger.”

Vandalism

Since the closure announcement, police have taken at least five reports of alleged theft or vandalism at the Sigma Nu house.

A group of people are suspected of causing more than $500 in damage throughout the home early Friday. Toilets, walls and furniture were reported damaged by security workers who have been hired to monitor the building, according to a police report.

In a separate incident earlier on the same night, items such as hand-painted portraits were reported stolen or damaged. Several thefts, including student laptops and a security guard’s motorcycle helmet, were also reported.

Sigma Nu members are considered brothers by their national fraternity, but they are not recognized as a chapter on campus, said Scott Shorten, Interfraternity Council president.

“They’re just a group of students now, really,” he said.

Shaad said he knew the chapter had imperfections, but was in the process of improvement.

“I had never had an illusion that we’re the best fraternity on campus and we had done everything right,” he said.

– Staff reporter Eric Weslander contributed to this report.