At least three fraternities have been suspended at KU in 2018

At least three fraternities have been suspended at the University of Kansas since the start of the spring semester in 2018.

Representatives from the national headquarters of Delta Upsilon, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Phi Epsilon confirmed to The Star that their KU chapters have ceased operations as the university investigates allegations of violations of fraternity policy.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon spokesperson Johnny Sao said officials at the fraternity’s service center had issued a Jan. 19 cease-and-desist order to its KU chapter, halting operations until further notice.

The center is investigating health and safety violations at the chapter, he said.

“Sigma Alpha Epsilon maintains stringent guidelines and expectations for our members, and those who do not comply with them are addressed accordingly,” Sao said in a statement. “Furthermore, we have a zero-tolerance policy for any actions or behaviors that deviate from our policies, mission and creed — because that type of conduct is unacceptable. Our goal is to provide a meaningful and beneficial experience for all of our members and the communities in which they live.”

According to KU, the fraternity has been put on probation for violations related to hazing, harm to persons and organizational responsibility until Jan. 31, 2020.

Probation can include suspension of privileges or the requirement to participate in certain programs or activities.

Delta Upsilon International Fraternity spokesperson Ashley Martin said the fraternity had placed its Kansas chapter on an “emergency suspension” on Jan. 29 after receiving allegations the chapter violated fraternity policy.

She said the fraternity’s headquarters is working with the university to investigate the allegations.

The fraternity does not currently appear on a list of student organizations that have received sanctions from the university, and a university spokesperson said KU could not discuss ongoing investigations.

The KU chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has also been suspended as the university investigates allegations of hazing, said a national spokesperson.

“Student safety is the number one priority for Sigma Phi Epsilon, and hazing has no place in our, or any organization,” the fraternity’s headquarters said in a statement. “We expect all of our students to behave according to both their university’s policies and ours, and we work with our university partners to ensure that students and chapters are held accountable to our high standards.”

This story was originally published February 22, 2018 at 12:24 PM with the headline "At least three fraternities have been suspended at KU in 2018."