Stephen F. Austin Sigma Chi members reported UH hazing allegations

The University of Houston has suspended the Sigma Chi fraternity after "disturbing allegations of hazing within the fraternity," and results of an investigation have been provided to the district attorney's office, President Renu Khator said Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in Houston, Texas. less The University of Houston has suspended the Sigma Chi fraternity after "disturbing allegations of hazing within the fraternity," and results of an investigation have been provided to the district attorney's ... more Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Stephen F. Austin Sigma Chi members reported UH hazing allegations 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

The allegations of hazing at the University of Houston's Sigma Chi fraternity were reported by members of another Texas Sigma Chi branch, at Stephen F. Austin State University, which held its pledging ceremonies with the UH chapter in Houston.

UH last week suspended its Sigma Chi chapter and five students, who face possible expulsion, after receiving allegations of hazing. The allegations are the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.

Those allegations were brought by members of the SFA branch, who observed what they deemed to be inappropriate behavior by UH members during a joint pledging ceremony in January and reported it to the national chapter, Miguel Rodriguez, president of SFA's Interfraternity Conference, said Tuesday.

Rodriguez, a 21-year-old member of Delta Tau Delta, said the fact that Sigma Chi members stepped up to report the alleged hazing "shines a positive light on all Greek organizations" at SFA.

UH police have reopened a criminal investigation into the allegations after the Harris County District Attorney's Office last week asked them to continue investigating. The police department, which had been investigating the case since February, turned over a folder of information to the DA's office last week.

The university and the national chapter, which also suspended UH's branch, have refused to provide details about what the allegations entail, but a statement by UH President Renu Khator said "the health and safety of our students have come into question."

"I am shocked, dismayed and deeply disappointed that allegations of this nature have arisen on our campus," Khator said in the statement. "Let me be clear, hazing is a criminal act, and consent is not a defense."

Members of SFA's Sigma Chi chapter have refused to talk about the incident. A member of the fraternity at the chapter's Nacogdoches house on Tuesday said they were not allowed to talk to the media and said media were not allowed on the property.

SFA officials also declined to comment on the issue, but Adam Peck, the school's dean of student affairs said in a statement that SFA provides annual training to leaders of student organizations on how to report hazing.

"Students play a crucial role in preventing hazing," Peck said.

The president of UH's Sigma Chi chapter did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.