This week, Sigma Phi Epsilon Headquarters learned about an incident that occurred in March and resulted in the injury of one SigEp member of our California State Polytechnic University-Pomona chapter. In response, our chapter at Cal Poly-Pomona has been suspended until all fraternity and university investigations are complete. At that time, an appropriate and full reaction and remedy will be made.

Initial findings show that a SigEp member at Cal Poly-Pomona was injured during a routine outdoor ceremony when gasoline was thrown on a fire, which is not a part of that or any ceremony of the Fraternity.

The safety of all our members is of the utmost importance, and this matter is being given the full attention of staff and volunteers in order to assist our injured member, deal with anyone responsible and prevent future problems. The specific incident and associated factors will be reviewed and addressed.

This is an unfortunate situation for everyone involved, first and foremost the injured member. His health and well-being are our priority. This is also an unusual and disappointing situation for the Cal Poly-Pomona chapter, a campus leader with the highest GPA among fraternities and a commitment to community service.

http://www.sigep.org/news/release.asp?release=230

Excerpted from the LA Times -

The school is investigating claims that a student was severely burned during a Sigma Phi Epsilon initiation at a bonfire in the high desert.

A campus fraternity in Pomona has been suspended while the school investigates claims that a student was burned during an initiation.

Cal Poly Pomona announced Wednesday that it suspended the local chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon and nine fraternity members.

College spokesman Tim Lynch said the school is investigating an alleged initiation in which 14 students were blindfolded, driven to the high desert in March and placed around a bonfire.

He said the blindfolds were removed and gasoline was splashed on the fire for dramatic effect but some got on a student, who suffered second-degree burns to his arms, legs and chest.

Excepted from KTLA-TV, Los Angeles

POMONA — A fraternity at Cal Poly Pomona, along with nine of its members, have been suspended after a student was burned during an initiation ceremony.

“These allegations are serious,” said Doug Freer, the school’s vice president for student affairs. “If found to be true, this incident put student lives at risk and reflects incredibly poor judgment by the student and alumni members of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Our university policy on hazing is clear: zero tolerance.”

The fraternity’s campus accounts have been frozen, and it will not be permitted to use university facilities, said Tim Lynch, the school’s senior media communications coordinator. The suspensions are pending completion of criminal and disciplinary investigations, Lynch said.

Investigators say 14 students were blindfolded and driven to an undisclosed location in the high desert on March 6 for a fraternity initiation ceremony attended by more than 130 fraternity members and alumni.

The blindfolded students were positioned around a large bonfire, and as their blindfolds were removed, gasoline was doused onto the fire for “dramatic effect,” Lynch said.

However, some gasoline splashed onto one student, who suffered second-degree burns to his arms, legs and chest, Lynch said. The victim, who university officials said requested anonymity, has since withdrawn from school, Lynch said.

University officials were notified about the alleged hazing May 28, Lynch said.

Among the issues under investigation are allegations that the victim “was not provided appropriate and timely medical attention when it was requested,” and that alcohol was provided to students younger than 21, including the victim, Lynch said.