UT-Austin Fraternity Suspended For Hazing-Related Incident

AUSTIN, TX — The University of Texas chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has been suspended by the fraternity’s national leadership for a minimum of four years for reasons believed to be related to hazing.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon headquarters officials posted an advisory about the suspension on its website on Tuesday. Officials there confirmed receipt of information via its anonymous, toll-free hazing hotline that prompted an investigation and led to the suspension of the Texas Rho chapter's charter until all its current members have graduated from the university.

No details into the alleged hazing incident or incidents were provided, but Sigma Alpha Epsilon officials said the suspension was attributable to "health and safety concerns" and the chapter's "inability to adhere to the national organization's standards and expectations." The founding of the local SAE chapter dates to the late 1800s, officials noted.

"It is with regret that Sigma Alpha Epsilon reports the closure of one of our chapters," SAE officials wrote in their prepared statement. "The charter for Texas Rho at the University of Texas in Austin has been suspended as a result of health-and-safety concerns and an inability to adhere to the national organization’s standards and expectations. In addition, we have notified the University of Texas of our decision to suspend the group until the membership has graduated or for a period not sooner than four years. Our Fraternity looks forward to continuing that relationship with administrators so we may facilitate a return, when possible."

Officials reiterated their zero-tolerance policy in regard to hazing: “Sigma Alpha Epsilon has zero tolerance for any actions or behaviors that are not consistent with our mission and our creed, ‘The True Gentleman,’ ” organization officials wrote. “We are committed to the safety and well-being of our members and others with whom they interact. Furthermore, we will not hesitate to impose sanctions when guidelines are not being followed.”

Despite its long pedigree, the step in closing the local fraternity chapter was necessary to remind of the organization's rules of conduct, officials said.

"The temporary loss of this chapter, which was founded in 1882, is unfortunate, but it serves as a crucial reminder to our collegiate members, chapter officers and alumni that violations to Minerva’s Shield and failure to follow our membership-education program known as the True Gentleman Experience will not be tolerated and may result in closure," the statement reads. "Those types of violations jeopardize other chapters and colonies and devalue the positive membership opportunity we should enjoy as a brotherhood."

While details on the local incident weren't disclosed, SAE officials defended their action to shutter the local chapter: “Although we regret the closure of any chapter, there are situations in which it becomes necessary and warranted,” officials at the national fraternity offices wrote in their advisory. “Our leadership remains optimistic that we can re-establish Texas Rho in the near future with members who exemplify our beliefs and who serve as leaders and role models on campus and in the greater Austin community.”

This isn't the first time the fraternity has come under scrutiny. In 2015, two members of the chapter, Joseph Hardgrove and John Bass, were charged with assault after being accused of assaulting a man who had complained about loud music, according to past media reports. The same year, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at the University of Oklahoma was shuttered after a video surfaced showing members singing along to a racist chant, which also led to two members' expulsion.

The video of the chant by University of Oklahoma frat members was widely seen and distributed. In it, frat members are seen and heard chanting: "There will never be a [n-word] in SAE/There will never be a [n-word] in SAE/You can hang them from a tree, but he can never sign with me/There will never be a [n-word] in SAE.”

Click below to watch the video, but viewer caution is urged given the racist epithet used throughout:

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