Loyola University Fraternity Suspended Over Alleged Hazing
By Stephen Gossett in News on Feb 23, 2017 11:50PM
Loyola University / Facebook
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Loyola University has been suspended, and the school is investigating after receiving "credible information" that it is engaging in hazing. It is the same fraternity chapter that was suspended at Northwestern University amid an investigation into sexual-abuse allegations.
"Hazing is directly in opposition to the mission and values of Loyola, and it will not be tolerated," Kristin Trehearne Lane, communication manager at Loyola University, told Chicagoist via email. Lane confirmed that the suspension is due to hazing allegations but did not elaborate on specific instances.
An investigation is being administered by Loyola's Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution and will progress according to the University's conduct process.
The Alpha Omega Chapter was placed on an interim suspension. "Consequently, the chapter’s privileges as a recognized student organization at Loyola are temporarily revoked until further notice." Lane declined to state how long the suspension would extend.
As noted by the Tribune, which broke the story, the same chapter is in trouble at Northwestern over sexual misconduct claims. On Tuesday, Feb. 7, NU posted an alert that the school was investigating a that four women who attended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house in January were possibly given a date rape drug. Two of the students believe they were the victims of sexual assault. NU received another report that another female student was sexually assaulted after going to a fraternity house in Evanston, but the chapter of that fraternity was not disclosed.
The SAE house at Northwestern was suspended by the fraternity's national headquarters, which is based in Evanston, amid outcry from the university's student government.
A request for comment from the Associate Executive Director of Communications of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was not immediately returned.
The Beta Chi chapter of Sigma Pi at Loyola University was banned for three years in 2014 due to hazing and "bias-motivated discrimination and misconduct."