San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Alpha Phi sorority placed on interim suspension

San+Diego+States+Sigma+Phi+Epsilon+chapter+house+on+Nov.+14.
Julianna Ress
San Diego State’s Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter house on Nov. 14.

San Diego State’s chapters of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Alpha Phi sorority were on interim suspension after an incident that took place on Halloween involving members of both organizations, a university official said Nov. 13.

The incident occurred at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on Hardy Avenue and “may have put a member of the university’s community at risk,” SDSU spokeswoman LaMonica Everett-Haynes said in an email. Following an initial inquiry into the matter, officials determined Alpha Phi sorority members had failed to properly report the event to university officials, and both the fraternity and sorority were suspended.

Everett-Haynes said she couldn’t provide further details on the incident because the matter was still under investigation. She said the university was working in conjunction with the national organizations of both Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Phi.

The SDSU chapter house of Alpha Phi on Nov. 14. Photo by Julianna Ress

In a statement, Interfraternity Council President Jacob Mahony said the IFC also could not provide further details but supports the university’s decision.

The dual suspensions came on the heels of the suspensions of two other Greek organizations in mid-October, which themselves came just after SDSU’s Interfraternity Council ended its nearly-seven-month-long party ban.

An incident in which a member of Kappa Alpha at SDSU required medical attention for unspecified injuries led to that chapter’s interim suspension on Oct. 17. A day later, on Oct. 18, the Sigma Nu national organization confirmed its SDSU chapter had been removed from campus for violations of the fraternity’s alcohol policy, which were also not specified.

The IFC — which Alpha Phi, a sorority, is not a part of — lifted a “social moratorium” on most fraternity events involving alcohol on Oct. 4. The moratorium had been in place since March.

At the time of its imposition, seven of 15 IFC member organizations were on suspension, probation or undergoing an investigation. Mahony said in September that the moratorium was self-imposed by the IFC in response to a national climate that threatened the long-term sustainability of fraternities because of issues like sexual harassment, excessive alcohol and drug consumption, hazing and toxic masculinity.

IFC members also moved at the same Oct. 4 meeting to impose a ban on hard alcohol at most events.

About the Contributors
Bella Ross, Editor in Chief
Bella Ross is an SDSU senior double majoring in journalism and political science. She started working at The Daily Aztec in the news section in Fall 2017 and started to make videos for the newspaper in the Spring. She also works as an intern for Voice of San Diego and does some freelance work. In the past, she's worked at KPBS, inewsource and The San Diego Union-Tribune. She is hoping to report on national politics for a large newspaper one day. Follow her on Twitter @BellaMayaRoss.
Julianna Ress, Arts & Culture Editor
Julianna Ress is the Arts & Culture editor of The Daily Aztec. She is a senior majoring in journalism with a minor in television, film and new media, and her writing has appeared in The Ringer, E! News and local publications. She was awarded "Best Arts & Entertainment Story" at the 2018 California College Media Awards for her piece, "Revisiting my hometown through 'Lady Bird.'" Follow her on Twitter @juliannaress or email her at arts@thedailyaztec.com.
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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Alpha Phi sorority placed on interim suspension