Michigan State University Places Sigma Alpha Epsilon Under Interim Suspension Following Drug Video
Michigan State University’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has been placed on an interim suspension after a video circulating online appeared to show fraternity members using illegal drugs, WILX reported. The footage, which references cocaine and ketamine, triggered an immediate campus response and an active university investigation.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz addressed the situation in a Sunday evening letter to the campus community. The message also touched on unrelated Halloween weekend shootings near the East Lansing campus. Regarding the fraternity, Guskiewicz stated that the university asked the national organization to intervene.
“At our request, the national organization has taken action and ordered the local chapter to cease and desist any and all chapter operations (including, but not limited to, social gatherings, recruitment, activities or member education) until further notice,” Guskiewicz wrote in the letter.
Fraternity Faces Interim Suspension Pending Misconduct Investigation
The cease-and-desist order means the fraternity cannot conduct social gatherings, recruitment events, member education, or other daily operations while the investigation remains open. A university spokesperson confirmed that the interim suspension stems from recent alleged misconduct handled through the university’s Student Organization Conduct Policy.
MSU’s Fraternity and Sorority Life webpage notes that SAE is also facing a deferred loss of registration for physical violence, hazing, and other prohibited conduct.
The university’s student code of conduct strictly prohibits student organization members from using, possessing, manufacturing, or providing drugs or drug paraphernalia. Violators face disciplinary penalties ranging up to campus suspension and expulsion.
Students Voice Surprise over Campus Misconduct Exposure
Brett Bastionell, an MSU student, voiced surprise at the public exposure of the incident. “I mean, you hear about drug use in college, but you don’t expect to see a montage come out,” Bastionell said.
Fellow student Justin Braun questioned the judgment behind the alleged actions. “I just think that’s not smart on their part if they want to be a major part of the life on campus they should not be doing that,” Braun noted.
“We just want to make sure everyone is safe and making smart decisions. With everything that’s happened here in the last few weeks, I think definitely it’s the right decision,” Berner said.
As the investigation continues, knocks at the SAE local house have gone unanswered, and representatives from the national chapter and the MSU Interfraternity Council have not yet provided public comments. Meanwhile, university officials maintain that the chapter’s status will depend on the findings of the ongoing review.
Keep reading
Linda Gerry, Lincoln Resident and church secretary, dies at 79
A single yellow Post-it note, stuck quietly to a computer monitor in a Lincoln home, held a familiar...
Robert H. Garner, Outdoorsman and Vietnam Veteran, Passes Away
Remembering Robert H. Garner Robert H. Garner, a lifelong outdoorsman, veteran, and family man, passed away on Tuesday,...
Temperatures climb across southern Montana and northern Wyoming
Winds Ease and Temperatures Climb Across Southern Montana and Northern Wyoming Rain and mountain snow will steadily taper...
$678,175 Spent on Minneapolis City Hall Repairs and Flagpole Replacement
Minneapolis and Hennepin County Spend $678,175 on City Hall Flagpole and Tower Repairs Government infrastructure maintenance often lands...