On April 15, 2016, the brothers of the Theta Delta Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity at The College of New Jersey raised a total of $12,528.91 for the College’s Relay for Life event. Their outstanding efforts secured a first place finish among a field of about 55 teams, but it is unclear if the fraternity’s achievement was celebrated by the rest of the College. Whether intentional or not, the fraternity’s name was not announced until 5am to a tired and sparse crowd, instead of the usual 12am announcement during the height of the event.
“People say we contribute nothing to the campus community,” a brother of Sigma Pi said. “But just last year, we organized the biggest suicide awareness walk on any college campus in the country.”
Leading up to Relay for Life, the brothers of the Theta Delta Chapter had received harsh criticism from the College community due to various investigations and punishments that the fraternity had endured. In response, on March 29, 2016 the fraternity declared its independence, with the support of Sigma Pi Nationals, from The College of New Jersey.
The initial investigation was conducted based on allegations of sexual assault and drug use—an issue that should not be taken lightly. However, the women later rescinded their statement that they were drugged. The Mercer County prosecutor’s office conducted an investigation and after a month, the fraternity had not heard any news. Meanwhile, the College continued its own investigation. They found no evidence of sexual assault, but concluded that the fraternity violated the school’s alcohol policy.
“[The College] never addressed a large mass of people such as the Inter-Greek Council saying that the sexual assault was not true,” a brother of Sigma Pi said. “Even though they found no grounds and know it is not true, they still won’t, in a public forum, admit that we were not found guilty of any sexual misconduct. And now, because of that, were are looked at in this light.”
The fraternity, now cleared of sexual assault allegations, was faced with sanctions for having a keg at a party and serving alcohol to minors. The fraternity members were presented with various plans of action, including completing a membership review and paying for a professional risk management presentation. The brothers were happy to comply; except for one sanction that they felt was unfair. It stated that the brothers would have to pay for a resident advisor to live at their off-campus fraternity house (that is not affiliated with the College) for three years.
“We did admit to having a keg and we admitted to having alcohol and serving to minors,” one of the fraternity brothers said. “That is not a foreign thing to this school. It is not a foreign thing to Greek Life in general. It happens. People get in trouble for it. People get put on probation for it. They do not receive the sanctions that they tried to give us.”
The brothers responded by sending an email detailing which sanctions they would agree too, and which ones they objected to. The College responded by conducting another full-scale investigation—one that intended to determine if Sigma Pi was taking a spring pledge class, something the suspended chapter could not do according to the College’s sanctions.
“It was like they wouldn’t let us move on from one thing, they just kept piling and piling it up,” one brother shared.
As part of their suspension, they were forbidden from participating in social events, gathering as a unit, or congregating on campus. As a result, Sigma Pi’s once spirited and involved presence was now completely gone. Rumors spread, stories spiraled out of control, and other fraternal organizations used it to their advantage. The College community underestimated not only the impact the initial allegation had on the brothers, but also the negativity that was constantly shoved in the face of the organization, often by individuals with minimal understanding of the situation, whether through social media or on campus.
“We do want to be fair,” one brother said. “This whole entire year, we tried to work with the school. They never tried to work with us.”
“Our Nationals said the way the school was treating us and how they were refusing to work with us was unacceptable,” another brother added. Sigma Pi Nationals had also punished the fraternity for the possession of a keg and serving to minors, which they willingly accepted. “That’s when the talks first started that we should dissociate with the school.”
After coming to decision, a member of the fraternity sent an email to the Administration about the Chapter’s decision to declare independence. Once again, the fraternity was bombarded with more sanctions and an extended suspension till 2021—despite the fact that the organization was now unaffiliated. With each sanction, Sigma Pi’s reputation suffered, especially in the eyes of organizations such as The Inter-Greek Council and the Inter-Fraternal Council.
As a disaffiliated and independent chapter, the brothers of Sigma Pi were eager to reunite and continue building their legacy. As an independent chapter, the fraternity would still be responsible for completing an assessment packet, similar to the one they were used to, and giving back to the community through philanthropic events and community service. Their excitement was short lived—the College was now looking for ways to restrict other organizations from affiliating with Sigma Pi.
Initially, sororities were advised that it would be ‘unwise’ to associate with Sigma Pi by the head of Greek Life. Fraternities and sororities were instructed to not attend any of Sigma Pi’s philanthropic events and to not hold any events with the fraternity.
It was taken a step farther when the Administration declared that sororities would be punished for any type of social interaction with the fraternity, no matter how big or small. It was acceptable for girlfriends of brothers, or longtime friends of brothers to associate—but that was it.
“Now that they don’t have power over us, they want to assert powers that they don’t have over other organization,” one brother said. “You cannot tell people who they can and cannot hangout with.”
The Inter-Fraternal Council even held a meeting to vote on the idea of other fraternities blacklisting any sorority that chooses to mix, or have social gatherings with Sigma Pi. While the proposition did not pass, fraternities can decide on an individual basis.
“In regards to Sigma Pi’s future, we hope to continue functioning off campus, free from any further interference by the school,” a brother said.
