Westminster College President Barney Forsythe announced Wednesday the joint decision between the college and the Sigma Chi International Headquarters (SCIH) to indefinitely suspend the Delta Tau chapter of Sigma Chi after new evidence surfaced of offensive comments posted on a private Sigma Chi Facebook page.
Westminster spokesperson Rob Crouse would not give specifics on the nature of the comments. SCIH placed Sigma Chi on suspended status in January after an investigation revealed violations of academic performance, chapter leadership and hazing.
"These comments are in direct conflict with everything Westminster College stands for, including our value of respect for others," Forsythe stated in a release. "Every day on our campus, we strive to educate our students to live according to our mission statement - committed to the values of integrity, fairness, respect and responsibility - and I am deeply disappointed, saddened and horrified by the deplorable attitudes expressed by a small group of young men on our campus."
The executive committee of SCIH voted earlier this week to - in addition to the indefinite suspension - expel the individuals involved from the organization, according to a SCIH release. It also states that SCIH will "not be reopening the chapter in the forseeable future."
"We have been working very closely with the administrators from Westminster College and we mutually agreed that both institutions do not stand for this type of behavior. When members do not align to our ideals and values we have no choice but to take swift and decisive action and close the operations. Additionally, individuals who were found to be guilty of initiating such behavior are being expelled from the Fraternity," Michael Greenberg, Sigma Chi International president, said in the release. "We have a values system that is centered on character development and gentlemanly conduct. Members who claim they will follow those principles and then choose to violate them will be held accountable for their violations of personal integrity and ethical conduct."
In January, the fraternity was placed on suspension for the remaining of the spring semester and was told that new members could return to the house in the fall. That's not the case now, and Crouse added that the 20 members must be moved out of the Sigma Chi house by the end of the week.
In his statement, Forsythe said the college and SCIH are continuing their investigations, and the college "will take swift and appropriate disciplinary action," including possible expulsion.
"Our policies were developed to create and maintain an environment conducive to learning and free from harassment and discrimination," Forsythe stated.
He went on to state that the college fully cooperated with SCIH when it started its investigation at the beginning of the year, which resulted in a report given to Westminster last week. Then, the college launched its own investigation "in preparation for appropriate disciplinary procedures."
Jacob Appelbaum, Westminster student and president of the Delta Tau chapter of Sigma Chi, denied a Fulton Sun interview request Thursday.