Pubdate: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 Source: Gamecock, The (SC Edu) Copyright: 2003, The Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina Contact: http://www.dailygamecock.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2319 Author: Alexis Stratton, The Gamecock SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY UNDER SUSPENSION FOR DRUG USE USC's Sigma Phi Epsilon, one of the largest Greek organizations on campus, has been suspended by the fraternity's national organization because of charges related to drug arrests, halting its activities on campus. USC Spokesman Russ McKinney said the national organization suspended the chapter's charter, and although the organization has indicated to USC the suspension might be lifted, McKinney said the fraternity looks as if it will be suspended indefinitely. Sigma Phi Epsilon's national office could not be reached for comment. The State newspaper reported Thursday that the office lifted its suspension this week. McKinney said that USC has told the national organization that if it ever lifts its suspension, USC would immediately begin its own suspension process. "It's something that's of a very serious nature that the university is very concerned about," McKinney said. "The university continues to watch the suit very closely." The suspension of a student organization has many ramifications. Jerry Brewer, director of Student Life, said a suspended organization loses all rights and privileges to meet as an organization and loses funding, reserved space on campus and the right to participate as an organization in intramural sports. Brewer said he has asked for the national organization to inform him in writing of any decisions to lift the suspension. If that happens, Brewer said a USC suspension would be strongly considered. The suspension process would include hearings and student judicial proceedings. He said the administration has the authority to suspend students or student organizations if it decides their activities are "not beneficial to the university community." McKinney said that although there have been suspensions of sororities and fraternities before, most recently in the early '90s and a "brief suspension" in the first weeks of this semester, "the best way to characterize them is that they're infrequent." McKinney said the suspension reflects negatively on the university. "I do think that the leadership of the fraternity has tried to deal with the matter responsibly, and we commend them for that," he said. Brewer said the group needs to cooperate fully with providing information, especially because law enforcement officials are involved as well. "I think we recognize students don't always make good decisions," he said. Members of USC's Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter could not be reached for comment. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake