Evanston, Illinois | Feb. 16, 2022 — Undergraduate Sigma Chis at Washington University in St. Louis have surrendered their charter and the International Fraternity’s Executive Committee (EC) has accepted it, placing the chapter on suspended status effective immediately. Washington University had previously withdrawn its recognition of the group following an investigation into risk management and member accountability issues.
It is the Fraternity’s goal to one day reactivate the chapter with the support of the university’s administration. The Fraternity will evaluate its options for reactivating the chapter after Dec. 31, 2023; however, it will only do so provided it has support from Washington University and the chapter’s suspended members satisfy Sigma Chi’s chapter-reactivation requirements.
The International Fraternity has in the meantime moved initiated undergraduates within the chapter to “suspend active status,” meaning they are recognized as initiates but may not participate in activities associated with those of Sigma Chi undergraduates.
“I am saddened that the Fraternity is closing one of its chapters and by the circumstances leading to that closure,” says 72nd Grand Consul (international president) Tim Sanderson, WESTERN 1985. “However, suspending our chapter at Washington University at this time is the right decision. We look forward to returning to the university when the time is right and when we have the full partnership of its administrators.”
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Sigma Chi is one of the largest collegiate fraternities with undergraduate chapters at 233 universities and colleges and more than 355,000 all-time members. Sigma Chi provides a welcoming environment for young men of different temperaments, talents and convictions to enjoy a unique lifelong bond that extends far beyond college. Through world-class leadership training, extensive mentoring programs and a strong focus on academic achievement, Sigma Chi sets itself apart as the preeminent collegiate leadership development organization, challenging members to live by its core values and exemplify Character-in-Action™ in every aspect of their lives and the lives of others.
