BREAKING: Sigma Chi suspended, to return in Spring 2027 at earliest

Vanderbilt’s Alpha Psi chapter was suspended by the Executive Committee of Sigma Chi International Fraternity due to unspecified “accountability issues.”

Laura Vaughan

Sigma Chi house in the fall, captured on Oct. 26, 2022. (Hustler Multimedia/Laura Vaughan)

By Zach Joseph, News and Multimedia Copy Editor

January 24, 2023

Vanderbilt’s Alpha Psi chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity was suspended from campus this evening, according to a press release from the Executive Committee of Sigma Chi International Fraternity.

Director of the Office of Greek Life Kristen Torrey stated that the chapter will be suspended until at least Spring 2027. At that point, the fraternity and Vanderbilt will decide on a timetable for the chapter’s possible return. Torrey also said the Sigma Chi house on Vanderbilt’s campus is the property of the school and plans for the usage of the house have not been decided yet.

According to the press release, the Vanderbilt chapter did not uphold the “ideals and values” of Sigma Chi. The Executive Committee cited “accountability issues within the chapter” as the basis for its decision.

“It’s disappointing when our members’ actions necessitate a chapter closure, but this was the right thing for us to do,” Sigma Chi International President Tim Sanderson said. “We look forward to eventually returning to campus and partnering once again with Vanderbilt University.”

All members of Sigma Chi that have been initiated, per Torrey, are now considered “suspended active members” of the fraternity and thus are ineligible to join another fraternity at this time.

The last Interfraternity Council chapter to be suspended at Vanderbilt was the Gamma chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon in February 2021. DKE was suspended due to violations of the Fraternity’s Standards on Associate Member education, social event management and hazing.

In Fall 2021, Sigma Chi was under investigation for a policy violation but was not placed under suspension. The Gamma Delta chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, the Sigma chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity, the Alpha Gamma chapter of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and the Kappa chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity were also all placed on social suspension by their national fraternity headquarters during the same semester.

The president of the Interfraternity Council and of Sigma Chi did not respond to The Hustler’s requests for comments.

This piece will be updated as more information becomes available.

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About the Contributors

Zach Joseph, Senior Staff Writer

Zach Joseph ('25) is from Chicago, Ill., and is majoring in law, history and society with a minor in Spanish in the College of Arts and Science. He previously served as a staff writer for the News section. Outside of writing for The Hustler, you can find him going for a run around campus or passionately watching soccer games. You can contact him at [email protected].

Laura Vaughan, Senior Staff Photographer

Laura Vaughan (‘25) is a student in the College of Arts and Science studying mathematics and economics. When not out on an assignment for The Hustler, she can be found studying in the Schulman Center, having lunch at Frutta Bowls or trying to clean her file structure. She is available at [email protected].

Comments (5)

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junior tired of gl

1 year ago

Wow, Sigma Chi really knows how to make a comeback. Just when I thought they couldn’t get any more suspended, they go and get suspended again. I guess they really are living up to their ‘accountability issues’ reputation.

Constantine

As a member of the Vanderbilt class of 1987 and a Sigma Chi alumni, I am deeply disappointed to hear about the suspension of the Alpha Psi chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity. As a fraternity, Sigma Chi has always prided itself on upholding the ideals and values of the organization, and it is disheartening to hear that our chapter at Vanderbilt did not live up to those standards.

One of the things that always made me proud to be a member of Sigma Chi was our commitment to philanthropy, particularly our annual Derby Days event. This event, which raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, has been a staple of the Vanderbilt community for decades and has made a significant impact on the lives of children in need. It is a shame that the actions of a few individuals have led to the suspension of the chapter and the discontinuation of such a meaningful event.

I understand that accountability is important and that the Executive Committee of Sigma Chi International Fraternity had to make a difficult decision, but I hope that the chapter will be able to return to Vanderbilt in the future and continue to make a positive impact on the community through philanthropy and other initiatives. In the meantime, my thoughts are with the current members of the Alpha Psi chapter and I wish them all the best.

Isaac Jordan

Reply to Constantine

What is the real scoop? What did the boys do that was so egregious? These universities just looking to eliminate these social organizations, especially Vanderbilt with their ongoing ABL movement. It’s just not right! Now all these newly initiated men get the short end of it.

What is the real scoop? What did these boys do that was so egregious? These universities are just trying to eliminate these social organizations, especially Vanderbilt with their ongoing AGL movement. Now these newly initiated men get the short end. It’s just not right!

Ben Runkle

Reply to Isaac Jordan

I am sure you can ask any engaged alumni. They will usually know what was going on. Undergrads probably stopped paying attention to the ritual and values