2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsMSU sorority closed by national headquarters
MSU brought charges before branch closing
Ashley Bath
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: News
Sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma was closed by its national headquarters before its university trial date following charges of hazing and underage drinking.
The charges were brought by university officials before winter break.
The Beta Beta Chapter of social sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma, also known as Tri-Sigma, was closed by its executive council on Jan. 9, citing the chapter's failure to comply with its national's policies.
At the time the chapter was closed, Missouri State had already brought several charges against Tri-Sigma under the university's Greek Governance Statement. Dixie Williams, assistant director of student activities for Greek life, presides over the National Panhellenic Council that would have tried its case with the university.
The charges filed on Nov. 27, 2007 included hazing, minors consuming alcohol, participation in drinking games, failure to register a social event and failure to provide security and wristbands. Before the hearing could take place, though, Tri-Sigma's National Head suspended the charter, closing the chapter.
Marcia Cutter, executive director of Sigma Sigma Sigma, could not be reached for comment on the issue. However, a news release from Tri-Sigma's national headquarters stated that "positive chapter traditions and activities have not played a major role in chapter programming in quite some time, despite the efforts of the national organization to assist the chapter in reform."
The women of the chapter were notified over the winter break about their national's decision and last Tuesday were told they must move out of their chapter house. Williams said the university informed them that campus housing would be available for the spring semester, but most have tried to find apartments off campus.
Dana Hanson, former president of Tri-Sigma, and Lindsey Hesser, who would have been the incoming president, are very upset about everything that has happened to their organization in the past months. They both adamantly believe the national headquarters handled the situation very poorly.
The charges were brought by university officials before winter break.
The Beta Beta Chapter of social sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma, also known as Tri-Sigma, was closed by its executive council on Jan. 9, citing the chapter's failure to comply with its national's policies.
At the time the chapter was closed, Missouri State had already brought several charges against Tri-Sigma under the university's Greek Governance Statement. Dixie Williams, assistant director of student activities for Greek life, presides over the National Panhellenic Council that would have tried its case with the university.
The charges filed on Nov. 27, 2007 included hazing, minors consuming alcohol, participation in drinking games, failure to register a social event and failure to provide security and wristbands. Before the hearing could take place, though, Tri-Sigma's National Head suspended the charter, closing the chapter.
Marcia Cutter, executive director of Sigma Sigma Sigma, could not be reached for comment on the issue. However, a news release from Tri-Sigma's national headquarters stated that "positive chapter traditions and activities have not played a major role in chapter programming in quite some time, despite the efforts of the national organization to assist the chapter in reform."
The women of the chapter were notified over the winter break about their national's decision and last Tuesday were told they must move out of their chapter house. Williams said the university informed them that campus housing would be available for the spring semester, but most have tried to find apartments off campus.
Dana Hanson, former president of Tri-Sigma, and Lindsey Hesser, who would have been the incoming president, are very upset about everything that has happened to their organization in the past months. They both adamantly believe the national headquarters handled the situation very poorly.