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.

KNOXVILLE – Two University of Tennessee fraternity houses have been cited by the state fire marshal with code violations.

Representatives of the state Fire Marshal’s Office conducted inspections at the Pi Kappa Phi and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity houses – both of which have been cited for violations in the past – after the city of Knoxville Fire Department responded to fire alarms at both houses and noticed exposed electrical wiring, trash blocking exits and portions of ceiling missing “due to vandalism by occupants,” general inspection reports state.

State Fire Marshal Deputy Travis Solomon and Director Joel Damons conducted inspections May 5. During the inspection of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house, 1832 Fraternity Park Drive, officials found the following violations: an emergency light was vandalized and did not operate; an extension cored plugged into an outlet ran outside into a puddle of water under a wet cardboard box; and exits were blocked with broken glass, “numerous amounts” of trash and “slippery substances.”

In order for residents to continue to occupy the house, they must clear exits, fix emergency lighting and schedule a state electrical inspection.

UT Spokeswoman Rebekah Winkler said Sigma Phi Epsilon is scheduled to have a state electrical inspection this afternoon. After the inspection, the fraternity must have the state Fire Marshal inspect the property, she said. Winkler said the house is scheduled to close in June for renovations, but fraternity members will continue to occupy the house until then.

During the inspection of the Pi Kappa Phi house, 1828 Fraternity Park Drive, inspectors found ceiling damage due to vandalism, exposed electrical wiring and damaged lighting fixtures. They also found excessive trash, broken glass and “slippery substances” on the floor near exits.

The fraternity was told to clear exits and have a state electrical inspection in order to occupy the house, but Winkler said the house was vacated and closed last weekend for scheduled renovations, which could take until at least January to complete. The corrections will be made during renovations, she said.

For more – http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/may/11/ut-frats-cited-again-safety-violations/