SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY UNDER SUSPENSION FOR DRUG USE

USC's Sigma Phi Epsilon, one of the largest Greek organizations on
campus, has been suspended by the fraternity's national organization
because of charges related to drug arrests, halting its activities on
campus.

USC Spokesman Russ McKinney said the national organization suspended
the chapter's charter, and although the organization has indicated to
USC the suspension might be lifted, McKinney said the fraternity looks
as if it will be suspended indefinitely.

Sigma Phi Epsilon's national office could not be reached for comment.
The State newspaper reported Thursday that the office lifted its
suspension this week.

McKinney said that USC has told the national organization that if it
ever lifts its suspension, USC would immediately begin its own
suspension process.

"It's something that's of a very serious nature that the university is
very concerned about," McKinney said. "The university continues to
watch the suit very closely."

The suspension of a student organization has many ramifications. Jerry
Brewer, director of Student Life, said a suspended organization loses
all rights and privileges to meet as an organization and loses
funding, reserved space on campus and the right to participate as an
organization in intramural sports.

Brewer said he has asked for the national organization to inform him
in writing of any decisions to lift the suspension. If that happens,
Brewer said a USC suspension would be strongly considered. The
suspension process would include hearings and student judicial
proceedings.

He said the administration has the authority to suspend students or
student organizations if it decides their activities are "not
beneficial to the university community."

McKinney said that although there have been suspensions of sororities
and fraternities before, most recently in the early '90s and a "brief
suspension" in the first weeks of this semester, "the best way to
characterize them is that they're infrequent."

McKinney said the suspension reflects negatively on the
university.

"I do think that the leadership of the fraternity has tried to deal
with the matter responsibly, and we commend them for that," he said.

Brewer said the group needs to cooperate fully with providing
information, especially because law enforcement officials are involved
as well.

"I think we recognize students don't always make good decisions," he
said.

Members of USC's Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter could not be reached for
comment.