Emory University’s Sigma Chi fraternity will be removed from Eagle Row for the duration of the 2022-23 academic year after violating the Undergraduate Code of Conduct, including “use of alcohol and noncompliance with University directives,” according to an email from Campus Life Communications Director Tina Chang, who spoke on behalf of the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life (OSFL) and the Office of Student Conduct. 

Chang added that OSFL is “committed” to helping Sigma Chi return to its house at 6 Eagle Row for the 2023-24 academic year. 

Sigma Chi will be removed from its house at 6 Eagle Row for the 2022-23 academic year. Photo courtesy of Emory University.

Residential students not affiliated with Sigma Chi will be housed at 6 Eagle Row this academic year, Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life Nicole Jackson said in an email.

Jackson added that Sigma Chi members were reassigned to different residence halls on campus, although some members chose to be released from their housing contracts to live off campus.

Multiple of the University’s fraternities — such as Zeta Beta Tau and Sigma Phi Epsilon — do not have a house on Eagle Row, but are still involved with the Emory community. Despite the removal of the Sigma Chi house, the fraternity is still a recognized student and Greek-letter organization on campus. The chapter will be allowed to participate in and host events such as the bi-annual club fair and recruitment, Jackson said. 

The chapter will have the opportunity to work with OSFL, [Student Involvement, Leadership and Transitions] and other Campus Life staff to assist in providing space and other needs for their chapter operations,” Jackson wrote.

Sigma Chi’s removal comes three years after the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) headquarters shut down Emory’s chapter for violating an anti-hazing policy in spring 2019, removing AEPi from its home at 17 Eagle Row. The Wheel reported in 2019 that the chapter would be eligible to return to campus in fall 2021, but the date was delayed due to COVID-19. The University has not reinstated the AEPi house and a “housing decision has not been made for the organization,” according to Jackson.

Shane Karnes (23C), the current president of Sigma Chi, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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Madi Olivier is from Highland Village, Texas, and is majoring in psychology and minoring in rhetoric, writing and information design. Outside of the Wheel, she is involved in psychology research and works for the Trevor Project. In her free time, you can find her trying not to fall while bouldering and watching Criminal Minds with her cat.