by BECKY BUSH
Intern News Reporter

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity has been suspended from Appalachian State University’s campus until Fall 2010, due to violations of the Interfraternity Council and Student Code of Conduct, Center for Student Involvement and Leadership Coordinator Michael J. Berger said.

Sigma Phi Epsilon did not register a social event with the Office of Greek Life, resulting in their suspension, Berger said. Furthermore, Boone Police Department officials said members of the fraternity assaulted three people at the event located at 721 Howard Street.

Sergeant Scott Mackler said members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity invited three people, Tyler Smith, Blake Bearhalter and Adam Bearhalter, to their house Sept. 27.

The three were not Appalachian students.

“The people in the house started to assault [the three on the porch],” Mackler said.

Although the individuals from the fraternity declined the prosecution, the authorities know which house the attackers came from, Mackler said.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon event was located at 721 Howard Street. Photo by Jordan Paris

The Boone Police filed the incident report as a simple physical assault, and stated minors under the influence of alcohol were involved in the assault.

The university received two complaints about the incident from both Boone Police and parents, Berger said.

After the complaints, the incident was brought to the IFC judicial board.

“The chapter was found responsible on those two accounts by the IFC judicial board,” Berger said.

“If there’s some kind of trouble, there’s a risk management policy with the IFC,” Center for Student Involvement and Leadership Director A. Jamar Banks said.

That organization will talk with the adviser, and if there’s evidence to push the case forward, then the judicial board will hear the case.”

The recommendation of the judicial board is sent to Banks, where he reviews the recommendation and makes the final decision, Banks said.

Banks found the original penalties the IFC board came up with a bit excessive, and they made a slight modification to the original recommendation.

Originally, the organization was to be suspended for two semesters, Banks said.

After considering the recommendation, Banks recommended the fraternity be suspended one.

“They’ll be on specific probation, which means that if there are any additional violations they will be immediately brought back to be reviewed again,” Banks said.

The penalty then could be a little bit more significant.”

Banks said there are all kinds of risk management workshops at the university.

“We do a great job at Appalachian State; this was an [un]fortunate situation,” Banks said. “This is no means a reflection on our Greek community. This is just something that happened and it’s being handled and we’re moving forward.”

Photo by Jordan Paris  |  The Appalachian

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