OU’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was closed due to the discovery of intensive hazing in late fall, according to a hazing report.
On December 2, Sigma Phi Epsilon staff discovered hazing activity in the basement of the chapter facility, according to the Campus Hazing Transparency Report. This occurred during a time period known as “Senior Night” or “Hell Week,” an intensive week of hazing in Greek life.
During the investigation, it was discovered that additional hazing activities occurred during the fall 2025 semester and before, the report reads.
Hazing behaviors included:
• Lineups where members were required to perform physical workouts and forced recitation of fraternity chapter history
• A structured system known as “views” where pledges serve as personal servants and perform “coerced” domestic labor for active members
• Pledge assignments where members imposed roles and menial tasks on potential members
• Substance harassment where food waste and other liquids were applied onto new members
Sigma Phi Epsilon faced four OU Student Rights and Responsibilities Code charges, including a violation of the university’s alcohol policy, hazing, hazing with physical harm and hazing with degrading behavior. The fraternity was found responsible for all hazing violations except the university’s alcohol policy.
The incident was reported to the university on December 14, the report states. The conduct process was initiated the next day and officially concluded on April 3.
The transparency report is part of OU’s Stop Campus Hazing Act website. The Stop Campus Hazing Act, which became public law in December, requires institutions that participate in federal student aid programs to report hazing incidents.
Read more:
In an email to OU Daily Tuesday, OU Marketing and Communications wrote the national office of Sigma Phi Epsilon conducted an internal review and independently revoked the chapter's charter, but it does not comment on student matters.
"The University of Oklahoma addresses allegation of hazing through established student conduct processes," OU Marketing and Communications wrote. "The University does not comment on student matters in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act."
In February, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s national board of directors voted to close the chapter following an internal membership review. OU’s report confirms the closure was conducted independently by the national organization.
In a statement to OU Daily, Ben Ford, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s marketing and communications director, wrote the board voted to close the chapter because members failed to meet the expectations of the fraternity.
“The chapter repeatedly failed to live up to the expectations required by the Fraternity,” Ford wrote. “These violations reflected a pattern of behavior inconsistent with our values, and they continued despite substantial support, education, and direct warnings from the Fraternity.”
At the time, Ford wrote Sigma Phi Epsilon’s priority was to work closely with OU students to manage the closure responsible and in compliance with all fraternity regulations.
This story was edited by Audrey McClour.
