The Beta Tau chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity at North Carolina State University will remain closed until further notice, following a national‑chapter suspension and the university’s revocation of its recognition. The action comes after law‑enforcement searches last month produced graphic video evidence of hazing, drug use, and other unsafe conduct.
Fraternity’s Response
Brad Beacham, Executive Director and CEO of Sigma Nu, condemned the behavior, calling hazing “an affront to human dignity” and a betrayal of the fraternity’s oath. He said the fraternity acted “in full consultation with, and with the support of, North Carolina State University officials” and will cooperate fully with ongoing investigations.
University and Law‑Enforcement Action
North Carolina State University officials placed Sigma Nu on interim suspension after receiving five anonymous tips between September 14 and September 22. The university’s Campus Hazing Transparency Report lists the fraternity among ten groups currently under sanction for code‑of‑conduct violations.
University police executed six search warrants, uncovering videos that appear to show members inhaling laughing gas, vomiting on one another, and forcing pledges to consume vomit, cigarettes, expired milk, and large quantities of alcohol. Two videos also show a member kicking a pledge while wearing a pointed shoe.
Legal Outlook
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman indicated that criminal charges could follow the investigation. Incoming District Attorney Wiley Nickel, who will assume office next week, said he expects a briefing within two weeks and emphasized that hazing is illegal and will be taken seriously.
Impact on Students and Campus Life
The suspension affects the fraternity’s 77 members reported last spring. All collegiate initiates have been suspended pending individual disciplinary procedures and any related university or criminal proceedings.
NC State requires all new students to complete a 30‑minute online hazing‑prevention module, and Fraternity and Sorority Life staff conduct annual in‑person training on recognizing and reporting hazing. The university defines hazing as any activity that subjects a student to physical or serious psychological injury as a prerequisite for membership, punishable as a Class A1 misdemeanor for students and a Class I felony for employees or authority figures.
Broader Context
Sigma Nu’s suspension follows recent disciplinary actions against other NC State fraternities, including Alpha Kappa Psi, Beta Upsilon Chi, Theta Chi, and a 2024 closure of the Phi Delta Theta chapter after similar allegations. The university’s ongoing crackdown underscores a commitment to student safety and the preservation of ethical campus culture.
While the investigation continues, university officials reiterated that they “do not tolerate hazing” and that the safety and well‑being of students remain paramount.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
