Historic Fraternity Canned for Bad Behavior

"Greek" college culture has earned a reputation for celebrating the abuse of alcohol and underclassman—but Ohio's chapter of the renowned Sigma Chi fraternity, founded at Miami University, has crossed the line. The frat has been ordered to close down for repeated cases of non-fraternal behavior, including substance abuse, inappropriate hazing rituals, and possible drug distribution. According to the Sigma Chi International Fraternity officials, the Ohio chapter's frat brothers were “fostering a thirst to create and cause physical and mental harm to others.” Sigma Chi representatives met with the Miami chapter last week to inform them of the suspension in Ohio. Those living in fraternity housing have been evicted and offered university housing instead. “We have been unable to successfully save our chapter at your institution,” wrote Michael A. Greenberg, grand pro consul of the international fraternity in a letter to Miami officals. “The so-called members of our Order at Sigma Chi’s chapter at Miami University have lost their way in aligning their lives toward, and living up to, our values and ideals.” Greenberg also apologized for the group's, “clear and blatant disregard for authority and anyone who is not a member of Sigma Chi’s Alpha Chapter.” Sigma Chi is one of the largest and oldest college Greek-letter frats in the US, with 244 active chapters and over 300,000 members. A reinstatement of the Ohio chapter may be possible in a few years.