DAVIDSON, N.C. — The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Davidson College is suspended for five years after the chapter admitted that it engaged in hazing of new members during the spring 2023 semester, Davidson officials confirmed.
According to a statement from a Davidson College spokesperson, the fraternity appealed an outcome handed down by the college's accountability process. The appeals process confirmed the earlier findings and concluded at the end of the most recent fall semester.
As a result, the Davidson College Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity was suspended for five years. Once the five years is up, students will have the opportunity to reconstitute the campus charter with the help of the national Signa Phi Epsilon organization.
This incident wasn't the only hazing allegation at Davidson in recent months. Last June, a member of the men's swimming and diving team filed a complaint that claimed freshmen were subject to hazing, including dancing in Speedos during campus events and at men's basketball games. The team member's complaint said they were disturbed by television news coverage of the dancing that also went viral online because they "knew deep down we didn’t have a choice.”
A Davidson spokesperson said the school was working to determine the appropriate actions in response to the complaints.
Clemson University imposed a four-year suspension of its Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity last July over hazing after a investigation revealed that new members were initiated with rituals that involved salt-like materials that caused burns.
The punishment was the latest meted out by Clemson University for Greek life violations. A four-year suspension began Fall 2021 for Pi Kappa Phi over "personal servitude by new members” and “morally degrading behavior,” according to university documents. Delta Tau Delta has been suspended since Fall 2020 after reports of similar incidents alongside underage alcohol provision.
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