Hazing Transparency Report

SIGMA PHI EPSILON   

Date Reported  

March 26, 2026 

Date of Incident 

March 18, 2026

Date Investigation Started 

March 26, 2026 

Investigation Concluded 

April 16, 2026 

Policy Violation(s) 

(15)(a) Hazing  

(15)(b) Hazing - Soliciting, Directing, Aiding, and/or Participating 

(22)(a) Alcoholic Beverages - Under 21 

(22)(c) Alcoholic Beverages - Supply 

(33)(i) Abuse of the Conduct Process - Interim Actions, Disciplinary Sanctions, or Conditions 

Sanction(s) 

See below 

Description of Hazing Incident(s)  

Following an investigation into allegations of hazing, the University found sufficient evidence to determine that members of Sigma Phi Epsilon engaged in conduct that included: 

•  Hosting new member activities involving the rapid consumption of alcoholic beverages. 
• Incorporating alcohol into chapter-sponsored events and activities, including Bid Day, Big Brother Ceremony, and other rituals. 

• Placing new members in a dark room while blindfolded and requiring them to listen to the same song repeatedly for approximately 30 minutes. 

As a result of these findings, the following sanctions were issued:  

1.  The Respondent's recognition as a Student Organization is suspended from the University of Memphis effective March 31, 2026. Suspension may be accompanied by special conditions for readmission. Sigma Phi Epsilon may submit a petition for authorization to pursue recognition by the University no sooner than April 1, 2027, for possible recognition in the Fall 2027 semester. A successful petition will include the completion of Fraternity and Sorority Life's New or Returning Organization Process.
2. Additionally, Sigma Phi Epsilon must work with the Office of Student Accountability and Fraternity and Sorority Life staff to develop and agree upon a comprehensive two-year Enhancement Plan to ensure the chapter's successful reintegration into the fraternity and sorority community. The Enhancement plan must outline clear expectations, benchmarks, and strategies to support the chapter’s successful reintegration into the fraternity and sorority community, including areas such as officer training, recruitment, risk management, member development, health and safety (hazing prevention, substance use, etc.), advisor recruitment and training, internal accountability structures (e.g., standards board training), and alignment with Sigma Phi Epsilon and the University's policies and values. Successful development of the Enhancement Plan is a prerequisite for Sigma Phi Epsilon's reinstatement as a registered student organization. Failure to comply during the first two years of campus recognition will result in immediate suspension and review of organizational status.
3. The chapter must also agree to the following stipulations:  

• The University will approve any advisor(s) prior to reinstatement. 
• Upon receiving permission to return to the University, the organization must provide a list of all alumni and other volunteers who will be involved in any official membership recruitment process to the University of Memphis – Office of Student Leadership and Involvement. The University reserves the right to disapprove of any individual’s participation in the official membership recruitment process. Failure to provide this list will be considered a violation of the terms of re-establishment of the organization.  

• Failure to abide by any of the above conditions would constitute noncompliance with the terms of the suspension and could lead to the University denying potential recognition of the organization. 

• Any currently affiliated student member may participate in a future recolonization effort only if that individual has successfully completed the formal review conducted by the National Fraternity, has been selected by the National Fraternity to participate in the recolonization effort, and otherwise satisfies the conditions of this Agreement and the University’s recognition process.