Updated: Oct. 26, 2015 at 1:43 p.m.
Sigma Phi Epsilon removed multiple members earlier this month, leaders confirmed last week.
Andrew Ringie, a junior who became president of the chapter in the last few weeks, said the chapter ousted members who did not uphold Sigma Phi Epsilon’s values. The chapter has had a contentious relationship with the University over the last few years: It lost its on-campus townhouse in 2011 and is currently on disciplinary probation.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to provide a positive experience on the George Washington campus,” Ringie said in an email. “We have removed members who were not willing to make that commitment and are moving forward with a focus on being a responsible leader in the GW community.”
He declined to say how many members were removed.
Ben Davidovich, a junior who was listed on OrgSync as the fraternity’s president until at least early September, did not return multiple requests for comment.
Andrew Parrish, the strategic communications director for Sigma Phi Epsilon’s national organization, said several students were removed from the chapter, which he said has now “resumed recruitment.”
“Following an internal review, several George Washington students who were not committed to upholding the high standards of Sigma Phi Epsilon were removed from the chapter,” he said in an email.
The chapter was listed as “temporarily unrecognized” on OrgSync until at least September, and is under disciplinary probation until December 2017.
In April, members of the fraternity initially “provided false information” to University staff “regarding knowledge and participation” about an unregistered mixer in which new members participated, according to the Center for Student Engagement’s sanctions list.
Interfraternity Council President Keaton White said the fraternity did not participate in formal IFC rush this fall, a decision he said was made by Sigma Phi Epsilon’s national organization, not the IFC.
“They will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing recruitment. The status of SigEp within the IFC remains unchanged,” he said. “Regarding the removal of any members of the chapter, that would come from SigEp’s national organization. The IFC doesn’t play a role in the internal affairs of a chapter.”
In February 2014, the chapter held an unregistered mixer in a residence hall and students were “transported to the hospital due to overconsumption of alcohol.” The chapter was sanctioned with social probation for about three months, according to the sanctions website. The chapter was also placed on social and disciplinary probation for two years after losing its townhouse.
Earlier this month, Delta Gamma’s national organization suddenly shut down the sorority’s chapter at GW. The University sanctioned the chapter for hazing, providing alcohol to minors and hosting an unregistered party with alcohol. It was the third Greek organization to close on campus, following Alpha Epsilon Pi and Tau Kappa Epsilon, since 2014.
