After a hazing incident last spring that resulted in sanctions mandating reform, Sigma Nu fraternity's wounds are slowly healing.
In response to the Greek Judicial Board's May ruling, the fraternity has put in place a national four-phase development program known as Leadership, Ethics, Achievement and Development, which emphasizes personal development, chapter growth and risk reduction for fraternity brothers.
The purpose of LEAD is to develop ethical leaders for society, brothers who will make an impact on their chapter, campus and community, according to Sigma Nu national's website.
Sigma Nu president Andrew Axelrod noted that the fraternity is currently in the process of completing the first two phases of the initiative. Fraternity brothers have been attending leadership classes periodically monitored by a representative from Sigma Nu national, which is based in Lexington, Va.
Next spring, the fraternity will focus on reestablishing its pledging process according to the principles set forth by LEAD, which will be required by all Sigma Nu chapters in the near future.
Assistant Dean of Students for Greek Life Todd Adams said the decision of the GJB to require LEAD was meant to reinforce what Sigma Nu was already planning to do. The chapter had been in the infancy stages of establishing a similar development program prior to the April 14 hazing incident, in which six freshmen pledges wandering off Old Erwin Road were found intoxicated by Chapel Hill Police. The pledges were expected to find their way back to campus by foot.
Adams noted that administration is especially looking forward to seeing LEAD's progress in the spring, particularly the manner in which the fraternity addresses new membership policy, including pledging and new member education.
"The fraternity has worked really hard to address issues that came to light last year. The brothers have also been working hard to change the approach in which they operate as a chapter," Adams said. "Sigma Nu has made some great strides."
Earlier this semester, Sigma Nu published a letter of apology in an advertisement in The Chronicle expressing regret for the hazing incident.
"Clearly, the event was in no way meant to harm any of the pledges, but extremely poor judgment was used in this instance.... We believe this event will be the catalyst to bring about the rapid and necessary changes to our pledge program in order to bring the fraternity completely in line with University and Sigma Nu national policies," the letter stated.
Additionally, the fraternity has dealt with the sanctions imposed by GJB for the fall semester, including the removal of its bench from Kilgo Quad and the inability to host chapter functions. Axelrod said he is proud of the way his brothers have carried themselves.
"I think so far the guys have been well-behaved," he said. "This sanction was a good wake-up call for us... [after] some things fell through the cracks."
Dean of Students Sue Wasiolek said she was also pleased with the fraternity's response to the call for reform.
"The hope is that the Sigma Nu fraternity will fully embrace LEAD," Wasiolek said.
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