OU’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon is set to close effective immediately following a vote from its national board of directors.
As first reported by OU Nightly, the board voted to close the chapter because members failed to meet the expectations of the fraternity.
“These violations reflected a pattern of behavior inconsistent with our values, and they continued despite substantial support, education, and direct warnings from the Fraternity,” a statement sent to Nightly from Ben Ford, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s marketing and communications director, read.
Ford wrote Sigma Phi Epsilon’s priority is working closely with OU students to manage the closure responsibly and in compliance with all fraternity regulations.
OU Daily reached out to Ford twice Friday, but had not yet heard back by the time of this article’s publication.
OU Marketing and Communications wrote in a statement to the Daily Friday that it was "surprised" by the news.
"We were surprised to learn Sigma Phi Epsilon's National Board of Directors voted to close the Oklahoma Beta chapter following its internal review, acting without consultation with the University of Oklahoma," the email reads.
Marketing and Communications wrote it "remains focused on student well-being and student resources."
Michael Bahash, a sophomore member of the fraternity, told OU Daily Thursday the chapter’s charter was pulled this week.
“We had like a hazing scandal, but I’m really not sure, honestly,” Bahash said. “It was kind of just out of nowhere. They kind of just told us we’re done.”
Bahash said he did not know the specifics of the situation, but believes the members will be allowed to stay in the fraternity house.
Friday evening, following Nightly’s report, Daily reporters went to the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on College Avenue to speak with members. As the Daily attempted to record a video outside the house, members from the second floor began shouting obscenities and playing loud music.
The Daily received several different answers from members on where the chapter president was. Members said the president was on his way back from a baseball game, gone for the weekend and in Seattle from a period of “two weeks to three months.”
Sigma Phi Epsilon's OU chapter set to close effective immediately
Blake Wylie, Pi Kappa Phi vice president, a fraternity two houses down from Sigma Phi Epsilon, told the Daily Thursday he believes members of the fraternity will continue to live in the house for the remainder of this semester.
“All I know is that they’re getting kicked off, but they have the rest of this semester for people living there,” Wylie said.
The Daily reached out to OU’s Interfraternity Council President Brody Davis Thursday but did not receive a response by the time of this article’s publication. The Daily also reached out to IFC Vice President of Public Affairs Ethan Evans and did not receive a response by the time of this article's publication.
Willie Gillespie contributed to the reporting of this story.
