OU Interfraternity Council placed Sigma Phi Epsilon on social
probation until Jan. 1, 2005.
IFC, at a closed-door meeting Wednesday night, also barred the
fraternity from all campus activities, including intramural and
Campus Activities Council events, until January 2005, according to
Andrew Sledge, member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Sledge said his
chapter’s president told him about the events of the
meeting.
The fraternity will be allowed to finish competing in Sooner
Scandals, a spring-semester Campus Activities Council event, IFC
President Omar Zantout said.
Andy Oden, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Oklahoma Alumni president,
said the situation between the fraternity and IFC began last fall
during rush, when the fraternity signed more rushees than IFC
allowed.
The fraternity apparently signed 76 rushees, which was 21 more
than IFC allowed fraternities to sign, Oden said.
As a result, IFC placed Sigma Phi Epsilon on a social
probationary period, which was violated when they had a party that
led to the recent punishment, Oden said.
“We don’t support IFC’s cap rule based on
guidance from our national chapter,” Oden said. “We
feel that cap rules are poor practices for fraternities and violate
the Constitutional right to free assembly. It is a misguided rule
with a misguided punishment.”
Sledge agreed that the punishment does not fit the crime.
“That’s an unjust punishment,” Sledge said.
“We followed the guidelines given to us by IFC.”
The fraternity is in the process of appealing the decision to
IFC, Sledge said.
Scott Thompson, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s national communication
director, said he hopes to see the problem resolved quickly.
“We’re working with all parties involved to reach a
resolution,” Thompson said.
Zantout said Wednesday night’s meeting was conducted
according to IFC standards.
“The meeting was run to the guidelines set by our chief
justice,” Zantout said. “Chapter presidents gave their
standpoints, and a vote was made on the punishment.”
IFC welcomes Sigma Phi Epsilon’s appeal, Zantout said.
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