Contact:	Randy Boeglin, 277-6448
April 23, 2002 UNM INVESTIGATES CHARGES AGAINST SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY The University of New Mexico Dean of Students office is investigating whether to terminate the Sigma Chi fraternity's UNM charter, said Randy Boeglin, UNM Dean of Students. Boeglin's announcement comes on the heels of a decision rendered April 20 by the national Sigma Chi Fraternity's Executive Committee to suspend the fraternity' s UNM chapter. "Although the national organization has already suspended Sigma Chi's national charter, the fraternity is also chartered locally by UNM and the University will determine whether to terminate the local charter," Boeglin said. A hearing will be held Friday, he said, at which time a decision will be rendered by his office. "It's important to point out that our actions are not being driven by the national organization's decision. UNM must give Sigma Chi due process as required by the UNM Student Code of Conduct," Boeglin said. However, he acknowledged that the decision by the national organization effectively terminates the organization's existence at UNM. " About three to five years will have to pass before the chapter can petition the national organization for reinstatement," he said. In December 2000, the fraternity was suspended by the UNM Dean of Students office in conjunction with its role in the taping of a swastika to a student's car that was parked outside of the Sigma Chi House. The chapter was reinstated in January 2002 on a probationary status. Recently, the UNM Dean of Students office has been investigating new charges brought against the fraternity. The charges include violating the terms of its probationary status. These include consumption of alcohol outside of designated areas and actions which have the potential for causing physical harm according to a report that fraternity members were observed consuming alcohol on the roof of the fraternity house, disrupting the educational atmosphere of the University according to a report that members were yelling from the roof at passers-by, and causing damage to a hotel during an recent event sponsored there by the fraternity. "This fraternity has been given a fair chance to succeed, but they now face new and serious charges and, if found in violation, the fraternity and its members will be held accountable in accordance with University policies," Boeglin says. # # #

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