Sanction hurts Sigma Nu

Fraternity suffers after suspension for underage drinking

By Joshua D. Scroggin

As fraternities on campus head full steam into rush week, Sigma Nu is at a distinct recruiting disadvantage—not to mention $2,500 behind everyone else.

Because of a sanction handed down by the university stemming from an incident involving underage drinking in its chapter house last fall, Sigma Nu is not being recognized as a student organization through spring 2004, according to adviser Connan Campbell.

The effects of the sanction are being felt this year as Sigma Nu is ineligible to receive the $2,500 annual sum normally allotted to the fraternity by Associated Students.

AS President Neil Gibson said if the university does not recognize the group as an organization, AS is not allowed to fund it.

The sum student organizations are allowed to apply for is normally broken up into two subsidies–$1,500 for the fall and $1,000 for the spring semester.

Sigma Nu president Mason Marin said the fraternity is looking into a way to still receive the subsidy.

Campbell said the sanction also prohibits Sigma Nu from being a part of the interfraternity council, furnishing a booth in the free speech area, or participating in university or greek activities as a group under the name Sigma Nu.

Although Sigma Nu is allowed to recruit, Marin said it has been harder to get new members than it has in the past because of the sanction, but contends Sigma Nu is building a new reputation rather than changing its old one.

“ It’s not like we’re trying to dig ourselves out of a hole.” Marin said. “We’re not trying to change the past. We’re trying to build a new future.”

The sanction ensures Sigma Nu’s future will not include events involving alcohol in its chapter house (parties), and until at least the conclusion of the spring 2004 semester, the fraternity will be dry.

Marin would not say whether or not the dry policy would be adopted once the sanction expires in May, but he did say Sigma Nu is engaging in value-based recruiting from now on.

Instead of simply recruiting bodies to fill in for graduated members the way it had in past years, Sigma Nu is only interested in initiating men interested in excelling academically, Marin said.