Purdue frat suspended for hazing, drugs, alcohol

For the second time this year, a Purdue fraternity has been suspended for permitting illegal acts behind closed doors.

Purdue officials announced Tuesday that the local chapter of the Sigma Nu fraternity has been banished for two years following incidents of hazing, drug use and consumption of alcohol by minors that occurred at fraternity events last semester.

The fraternity's house in the 1300 block of Tower Drive will be shuttered and about 50 students living at the fraternity must immediately find other accommodations, university officials said.

The chapter has been placed on probation twice since the 2014 spring semester, after members made alcohol available to minors and tried to prevent Purdue EMTs and police from entering an unregistered function to check on a person's well-being, according to a university press release.

Shortly before that incident, Sigma Nu member Eric Todderud, then 21, allegedly battered two males at the chapter house, knocking one of them unconscious. He was formally charged in August with two felonies and a misdemeanor and is awaiting a trial by jury.

Another probation was imposed upon the chapter in the 2014 fall semester for yet again hosting unregistered functions — those not approved by the Interfraternity Council, which governs 42 local fraternities, and therefore not subject to stringent party management regulations imposed by the IFC.

Unregistered events are forbidden but often occur behind closed doors, typically involving illicit alcohol and drug use. Cases in which such parties are reported, the IFC's Fraternal Judicial Board, which is comprised entirely of students, issues punishment with little to no university oversight, as first reported by the Journal & Courier last month.

Associate dean of students Jeffrey Stefancic said an investigation by Purdue and the national organization substantiated the latest reports, placing the chapter in violation of its most recent probation and triggering a suspension.

"There were expectations that the group was supposed to meet as part of their probationary status," Stefancic said in a phone interview Tuesday, "and unfortunately they had another incident that fell short of upholding that probation."

Stefancic said the incidences of hazing, including servitude, calisthenics, scavenger hunts, and activities between midnight and 7:30 a.m. occurred during the chapter's rush events last fall and were reported at the conclusion of the semester.

The minor consumption and drug use occurred at an unregistered party during the same time frame, he said.

The announcement comes on the heels of another suspension in January, when Acacia fraternity was suspended after a student member was accused of raping a visiting student during an unauthorized party.

James Rendon, 20, was preliminarily charged with rape. Purdue police said underage drinking and drug use preceded the crime, but formal charges have yet to be filed.

Following an investigation, the university lifted Acacia's suspension. The chapter is listed under probation for hosting an unregistered event and providing hard alcohol to minors, according to Purdue's student organization disciplinary status Web page.

Last month, the IFC imposed a blanket ban on hard alcohol at all fraternity properties, citing health and safety risks associated with the drinks.

Despite a growing history of misconduct at Purdue fraternities, Stefancic said Purdue will not heighten its enforcement of these groups.

"Every member of these organizations is aware of the policies and laws that govern acceptable behavior. By taking clear and decisive action in these cases, we are reinforcing the message that we expect those policies and laws to be followed," he said. "Fraternities and sororities are among the most regulated student organizations on campus and their members receive extensive training on substance abuse, hazing, risk management and bystander intervention.

Stefancic said the incidences of hazing, including servitude, calisthenics, scavenger hunts, and activities between midnight and 7:30 a.m. occurred during the chapter's rush events last fall and were reported at the conclusion of the semester.

The minor consumption and drug use occurred at an unregistered party during the same time frame, he said.

The Office of the Dean of Students will assist about 50 members living at the house in the 1300 block of Tower Drive find new accommodations, a university press release states.

The chapter will be eligible to return to the campus for the fall 2017 semester. It will cease to function until reconciliation.

"Sigma Nu regrets the loss of the Beta Zeta chapter," Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc. executive director Brad Beacham said in the release.

"However, in keeping with our mission to develop ethical leaders, the Fraternity cannot tolerate such violations of its law, policies and principles."

The national fraternity will work with chapter alumni leaders, university officials and student leaders to re-establish the chapter in the future, Beacham said.