Contact: Sammy McDavid
As the result of repeated violations of university regulations, Mississippi State's oldest social fraternity finds itself on probation until January of 2004.
In a decision announced Thursday by the Division of Student Affairs, the 114-year-old MSU chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has been found guilty of serving alcohol to minors--specifically, freshman pledges younger than 21--and the "central distribution of alcohol," a university term describing the dispensing of beer or other spirits at an organizational function open to all members.
Dean of Students Mike White said a Wednesday hearing determined that the most recent violations occurred during an official function last semester at the SAE house on Fraternity Row. The event involved the formal introduction of new members, known as "little brothers," to their upperclassman "big brothers."
"In being placed on probation, Sigma Alpha Epsilon may continue to function as a campus organization but may not sponsor or hold any social activity of any kind between now and the beginning of the 2004 spring semester," White said.
"This means that, while the organization can hold rush activities at its campus house, it may not give summer or other pre-semester rush parties. It also may not sponsor any social event during the semesters," he added.
White said the tough sanction is being imposed because SAE has been deemed "a repeat offender" of campus regulations.
"Over the past three years, SAE has committed three alcohol violations, two of which were serious enough to merit probation periods," White said. "If the chapter commits any further violations during the current probation, it will face additional sanctions up to and including closure."
The 100-member organization received its campus charter in 1887, just seven years after Mississippi A & M College, MSU's original name, opened its doors to students. SAE has deep Southern roots, having been founded in 1856 at the University of Alabama.
In announcing the sanctions, White said the SAE chapter is "fortunate" its behavior didn't result in even stricter university punishment for hazing. "While their actions didn't cross into hazing, they skated quite close to the line," White observed.
Roy Ruby, MSU vice president for student affairs, said the behavior of current SAE members is "especially disappointing, given the chapter's long and proud history" on campus.
"Over the decades, SAE has produced countless student leaders who brought pride and honor to their chapter, their university and their families," Ruby said. "That's why this clear pattern of immature behavior by its current and immediate past leadership is so very disappointing."
Ruby and White emphasized that permission for the fraternity to resume social activities in early 2004 will be granted only after "a detailed and thorough review" of the organization's record of behavior during the probationary period.
"No one associated with the organization should believe that a grant of approval will be automatic when next we visit this matter," White said.