UPDATED: WVU Sigma Phi Epsilon Charter revoked

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The national headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon has revoked the charter of the WVU chapter and says members will be evicted from the house at the end of the semester.

Dr. Matthew Richardson, Director of the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life says the problem began in 2017 when the national organization instituted a policy of “substance free” housing.

There was significant push back from chapter members wanting to adhere to that policy,” Richardson said,”They were talking about disaffiliating from the national organization to create a new group so they didn’t have to follow it.”

National officials say the decision was made after an investigation into violations of alcohol and risk management policies. The chapter was placed under a cease of operations order after officials learned a university event was being planned with common surce alcohol, a violation of policy.

In October, while still under the order, the chapter hosted an unsanctioned event that again, violated policies.

Richardson said,”At the beginning of this year there were some alumni at the house they moved back into. They were catching wind there was going to be a party, the alumni stopped it, but that obviously concerned the national headquarters.”

Following the October event the decision to revoke the chapter was supported by the West Virginia Beta Alumni, Volunteer Corporation and WVU.

The national organization released the following statement:

“SigEp’s purpose is to develop balanced men who make a difference in their communities, and we expect chapters and their members to act in accordance with our values,” said Sigma Phi Epsilon CEO Brian Warren in the statement. “In this case, members have repeatedly and knowingly violated the law and the Fraternity’s and University’s policies on risk management and substance abuse. When the cultural issues within a chapter conflict with our values and are too deeply rooted to change, SigEp will act responsibly to ensure the safety of students and other members of the campus community.”