The Observer, November 10, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 10
SAE loses charter, house
click to enlarge
As of noon today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity (SAE) is no longer a campus entity.
After a recent off-campus party involving three kegs and several SAE brothers, the chapter was sent to the Greek Life Judicial Board for sanctioning. On Nov. 2, it was determined that SAE would have its recognition revoked.
Although SAE fought for a three-year suspension, the Judicial Board ultimately decided to revoke the chapter's recognition for a period of six years.
SAE nationals decided also to remove the Case chapter's charter, and their housing corporation terminated the lease for the chapter house, which is rented from the university on a yearly basis.
The brothers were required to vacate their Southside house by noon today, leaving 12 brothers to find new housing with help from the office of Housing and Residence Life. Some of these brothers chose to remain in campus housing, but most are moving off-campus.
Had the chapter been allowed to remain on campus, they would still have faced harsh sanctions. SAE national bylaws prohibit kegs at parties and levied a $15,000 fine on the Case chapter.
However, since the chapter was removed from campus by the judicial board, the fine will be left unpaid.
The punishment handed down by Greek Life may seem harsh, but the alcohol violations were merely the initial issue at hand, according to Wes Schaub, director of Greek Life.
"They were uncooperative in the judicial process," he said. "The outcome is usually better for groups that are more open."
The 33 current Case members of SAE are officially considered suspended members of the national organization, and are not allowed to affiliate themselves with the group in any way until graduation. Upon graduation, the brothers will be placed on alumni status in good standing.
The SAE house will likely remain empty for the remainder of the academic year until another group can be found to fill it.
