Four IFC fraternities suspended

By: Gerard Albert & Joshua Ceballos/PantherNOW Staff

Due to ‘incidents involving alcohol’ at the Homecoming tailgate, Sigma Alpha Mu, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau have been placed on interim suspension according to an email sent to Greek presidents and advisors from Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Juan “Jeff” Ferrer, director of intramurals for the Interfraternity Council, told Student Media that Student Conduct did not specify what incidents caused the suspension, but did say that they occurred during the tailgate on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Ferrer said that members of the IFC met on the night of Thursday, Oct. 18, to talk about how their organizations can unify more and “ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again going forward.”

Ben Sardinas, chapter counselor for Sigma Phi Epsilon, said to Student Media that emails regarding the suspension were sent out on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Anthony DeSantis, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, attended a regularly scheduled IFC meeting on Oct. 18 and recommended to the members in attendance that the IFC board should meet with Student Conduct to discuss how they can change the culture of IFC, and how the administration can better address conduct issues in the future, according to Sardinas.

The incidents at the tailgate were a variety of conduct issues involving the organizations, including a possible fight, according to Christianne Medrano, associate director for Fraternity and Sorority Life.

“There were excessive amounts of alcohol on Saturday, and a lot of situations came out of that,” said Medrano.

Some members of Greek life complained that they should not be responsible for non-Greek students who enter their tailgate area.

Patrick Wright, vice president of administration for IFC, told Student Media that he feels the punishment does not match the actions.

“The University wants us to improve the community, but while we’re on suspension, we can’t do anything to improve the community,” said Wright.

He also said that the university needs to help Greek organizations with overseeing their tailgating area.

FIU Police Department Chief Alexander Casas said that on the day of the tailgate, there were 17 citations made by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco for underage drinking.

Currently, the organizations that are still active and in good standing are Alpha Epsilon Pi, Delta Sigma Phi, Delta Upsilon, Lambda Chi Alpha and Theta Chi.