Update — 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 10: Ben Ford, the marketing and communications director for Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at the national level, answered the Daily with this update regarding the local chapter's reinstatement:
The National Board of Directors of Sigma Phi Epsilon has approved Oklahoma Beta's appeal for reinstatement and is launching a comprehensive effort to build the best chapter at OU.
This decision reflects the extraordinary commitment demonstrated by Oklahoma Beta's alumni, undergraduate leaders, and university partners. Over the past several months, hundreds of individuals have stepped forward to shape a vision for the chapter's future — one rooted in accountability, leadership, and a commitment to the values that define Sigma Phi Epsilon.
SigEp CEO Brian Warren said: "This isn't simply about reinstating a chapter. It's about building a model fraternity experience for today's students. Oklahoma Beta has an extraordinary alumni network, strong undergraduate leadership, and a unique opportunity to create the kind of chapter that parents want for their sons, students want to join, and alumni are proud to support."
As part of this effort, the Fraternity has appointed an Alumni Advisory Council and is working closely with undergraduate leaders to establish a chapter experience that reflects the very best of SigEp. Together, they will develop and implement a plan focused on member development, academic achievement, leadership growth, and a healthy, no-pledging, no-hazing experience.
For prospective students and families, Oklahoma Beta represents a unique opportunity: the chance to help build a fraternity experience designed to prepare young men for success in college and throughout life. Through SigEp's Balanced Man Program, members are challenged to grow as leaders, scholars, teammates, and citizens while forming lifelong friendships and connections.
We believe Oklahoma Beta's best days lie ahead. With strong alumni involvement, dedicated volunteers, committed undergraduate leaders, and the support of the university community, we are confident the chapter can become a model for what fraternity should be — a place where young men are developed into principled and balanced leaders who positively impact their campus, their communities, and the world.
Read our original story below.
OU’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has been reinstated following its February closure due to intensive hazing, according to the university.
The chapter announced its 2026 rush chairs Tuesday in a now-deleted Instagram post.
“Meet our 2026 Rush Chairmen!” the post read. “They are here if you have any questions or need anything relating to rush. We are excited to get to know you during this rush process.”
OU Daily reached out to both chairs Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
OU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter has been reinstated by the fraternity’s national organization, according to the university.
Sigma Phi Epsilon was closed effective immediately in February following a vote from its national board of directors due to the discovery of intensive hazing in late fall.
In a statement to OU Daily Tuesday, OU Marketing and Communications referred to the chapter’s reinstatement, which it wrote was decided by the chapter’s national fraternity.
“The closure and reinstatement of Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Oklahoma were decisions made by the fraternity’s national organization through its internal review and governance processes,” the email reads.
The Daily reached out to Ben Ford, marketing and communications director for the chapter’s national fraternity, in late May as well as Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. In an email to the Daily Wednesday afternoon, Ford wrote the national fraternity is "working on a response that will be shared in the next several days."
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On Dec. 2, Sigma Phi Epsilon staff discovered hazing activity in the basement of the chapter facility, according to the Campus Hazing Transparency Report. During the investigation, it was discovered that additional hazing activities occurred during the fall 2025 semester and before, the report reads.
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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 but not the university’s alcohol policy.
In an April 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.
The Daily reached out to John Ryan Allums, OU’s coordinator of fraternity and sorority programs and services, OU’s Interfraternity Council President Brody Davis and the council’s Vice President of Public Affairs Ethan Evans on Tuesday but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
This story was edited by Reagan Rozzi.
