Sig Ep suspended for hazing after blindfolding pledge

The University chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity has been suspended for the remainder of the semester after University Police officers witnessed the hazing of a pledge, according to Sig Ep President and Wharton junior Richard Steinmeier. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Tricia Phaup said that even thought Sig Ep has been placed on probation, the fraternity is "not going off campus by any means." In a statement released by Steinmeier, two Sig Ep brothers were caught escorting a blindfolded pledge from the fraternity house at 40th and Walnut streets to a second residence at 42nd and Locust streets last month. After questioning the pledge and the two brothers, University Police ordered the blindfold to be removed and reported the incident to University officials. According to the University Policies and Procedures Handbook, hazing is any action or situation that "recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student" and is "expressly forbidden." As part of the probation, Steinmeier said the fraternity is prohibited from holding any social activities until the start of the 1995 fall semester. In addition, he said the fraternity must develop a new pledge program within the next several weeks. Phaup said she would have to approve the pledging program after it is first reviewed by Sig Ep's local and national organizations. Steinmeier cited the blindfolding of pledges as a "traditional and ritualistic event" that will be discontinued in the future, although at the time the fraternity did not realize the negative consequences of such practices. He added that he views the incident as a positive experience and believes the fraternity has been treated "more than fairly" by the University. "We deserve the punishment we got," he said "We're going to build on this to have the best pledging program."

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