Elon University added Sigma Chi and Sigma Pi to its Student Organization Disciplinary Status page following the end of the spring semester. Both fraternities are members of Elon’s Interfraternity Council.
Sigma Pi has been placed on disciplinary probation until Sep. 2 of this year following “reported behaviors of unauthorized consumption of alcohol at an unregistered event hosted by the organization,” according to the violation summary.
“The organization accepted responsibility for violating the university Code of Conduct and accepted applicable outcomes to support organizational change,” the summary reads.
According to the summary, the fraternity is required to have all chapter members attend a Social Event Management and Alcohol Policy Training Presentation, in addition to Risk Management and Liability Training.
Elon Sigma Pi President Henry Matthews declined Elon News Network’s request for comment.
According to the violation summary for Sigma Chi, anonymous reports of hazing were filed against the fraternity chapter, however those reports were not confirmed.
“While the credibility of the anonymous reports could not be verified, the chapter is implementing an educational action plan in collaboration with its national headquarters and Elon University,” the violation summary reads.
Elon’s Hazing Prevention webpage defines hazing as “any activity expected of someone who is joining a group (or who is trying to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks harming that person financially, emotionally, or physically, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.”
Based on the chapter’s action plan, Sigma Chi will undergo a formal chapter assessment. Additionally, chapter members are required to attend Bystander Intervention Peer to Peer Training, two education programs hosted by Sigma Chi Headquarters, and Membership reflection based on Values-Based Decision Making and True Brotherhood.
Elon Sigma Chi President Zachary Smith declined Elon News Network’s request for an interview but provided a written statement
“The matter referenced has already been resolved through the appropriate university channels, and we are focused on moving forward in a positive and constructive direction as an organization,” Smith wrote in an email to Elon News Network.
Sigma Chi was previously placed on disciplinary probation in spring of 2024 for “reported behaviors of hazing toward new members of a sorority involving activities with alcohol and blindfolds during their new member period,” according to the disciplinary status page.
Sigma Chi accepted responsibility for “complicity and for violating the university Code of Conduct hazing policy,” according to the violation summary.
The Office of Student Conduct documents incident reports according to the disciplinary status website. The Office of Student Conduct was unavailable for Elon News Network’s immediate request for an interview.
According to the disciplinary status website, the university publishes these violations publicly to inform students about current and previous violations made by recognized student organizations they may be interested in joining.
“This information allows students to make informed decisions when deciding to join a student organization,” the website reads. “The disciplinary status was assigned by the university and the action plan was created in agreement with the organization to support behavioral and organization culture change as it relates to the University violation.”
Sigma Chi and Sigma Pi are the only fraternities to be added to the list of violations occurring within the 2024-25 academic year. Delta Delta Delta is also on the list for the year after being placed on probation in spring of 2024 for “reported behaviors of hazing toward new members involving expected or encouraged activities with alcohol, costumes, blindfolds, questioning, and calisthenics (exercise).” Tri Delta remains on probation until March 9, 2026.
Compared to last spring, there are fewer organizations on disciplinary probation. In spring of 2024, four organizations were placed on disciplinary probation, including Delta Delta Delta, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau. The probation period for Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau ended in December of 2024.