Letters Come Down for USC Fraternity

Members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Cal Beta Chapter are coming to grips with their eviction from Greek Row Monday just one day after their letters were officially taken off the house.

The USC chapter of the national fraternity has been banned for at least five years by the university. The ban comes in response to the surfacing of allegations of sexual misconduct made against the house in November.

Student Affairs president Dr. Michael Jackson stated that the "action was taken based on a review of reports that the university's sexual misconduct policies had been violated."

The ban and removal of letters is just step one.

The national organization has now officially withdrawn the charter of the USC chapter. The chapter has even been removed by the national organization's website.

Brian C. Warren, executive director, issued a statement saying: "Sigma Phi Epsilon's mission is to build balanced men. When the cultural issues within a chapter conflict with our values and are too deeply rooted to effect change, we have no other option but to withdraw the chapter's charter."

Some students feel that the national decision to withdraw the charter is caused by more than just the investigation.

"It's really unfortunate for the members of the house that weren't involved and those who are respectful toward women, but at the same time I think that [the national fraternity] was making an example of this so that other fraternities and sororities will take their rules seriously," Dossevia Trenou, a junior, said.

In addition to the charter withdrawal, the chapter will lose their house at the end of the school year.

Student Barak Federman believes that the punishment is a bit harsh.

"Kicking off an entire house for one persons actions just isn't right," said Federman.

The Cal Beta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was officially chartered June 9, 1928. The chapter was the 69th to be established in the nation.

Once the ban is lifted, the chapter will be allowed to come back to USC.