OXFORD, Miss. — A national fraternity has closed its chapter at Ole Miss after three freshmen members were accused of putting a noose around the neck of the statute of James Meredith, the first African American student to enroll at the school.
Sigma Phi-Epsilon made the announcement Thursday afternoon, saying it had no choice. Leaders at the university said the defacing of the Meredith statue was not the reason the fraternity was closed, but it was justification for an intense review of how it conduct its’ business on campus. Besides the noose episode, Ole Miss administrators also said there had been numerous incidents of hazing and underage drinking by members of the group, all of which are violations of campus and fraternity rules.
Students currently living in the frat house will be allowed to stay until the end of the semester, but they cannot sponsor any social activities.
