Photo Courtesy of Sam.org

Following a semester-long investigation into the Hofstra University Delta Alpha chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu (SAM, also known as Sammy) prompted by allegations of hazing and misconduct, the University suspended the organization for at least four years on Wednesday, Dec. 4. This came after the SAM National Headquarters suspended the chapter’s charter.

“The Sigma Alpha Mu National Headquarters has suspended the charter of the Hofstra University chapter due to violations of fraternity policies. As a result, the University will no longer recognize the chapter, and the chapter will be suspended for at least four years or until all current members have graduated. All activities in the name of the chapter are suspended until at least November 2023,” the University said in a statement to The Chronicle on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Allegations of hazing were brought to the attention of Public Safety in September by a student who was pledging but dropped out of the process. The student and two other people whom he asked not be identified, provided a detailed account through a series of interviews with The Chronicle, published on Oct. 22. The allegations detailed a string of “private rush events” that included physical contact with strippers, being kept in a steaming bathroom for one hour and what he described as the “big night,” an event with alumni that resulted in two inches of the student’s hair being burned off.

“I hope justice is served in the right way,” the student said in a text message to The Chronicle on Sunday, Dec. 8. “I also hope they realize what they did was wrong and that someday they can have peace within themselves.” He added, “I myself have had support around me since the incident and follow-up article and I will forever be thankful for my friends and family that helped me.”

In a statement on their website, the SAM National Headquarters said: “Sigma Alpha Mu International Fraternity’s board of directors has unanimously acted to suspend the charter of the Delta Alpha Chapter at Hofstra University due to violations of Fraternity policies, which will close the chapter for a period of at least four years.” The statement went on to explain: “After receiving an investigative report from university administrators that outlined health and safety concerns, the Fraternity immediately conducted an investigation and determined that the chapter failed to comply with Fraternity polices and values. It is our understanding that the conduct process is still underway at Hofstra and Sigma Alpha Mu encourages the university to hold individuals accountable for their actions.”

In the same statement, Executive Director of SAM Nationals Andy Huston said, “Our top priority is to create a healthy and safe environment for our members and to foster a culture of responsibility in our chapters. We simply will not tolerate such violations of policies, expectations, and values.”

Huston also said, “Sigma Alpha Mu has provided significant training to its members on our new health and safety initiatives that launched this summer to ensure that our chapters are providing a meaningful fraternal experience befitting our values and heritage as fraternity of Jewish men.”

The organization has been listed as an “Unrecognized Organization” on Hofstra’s website, with the “Reason for Removal” cited as “Disciplinary.” The site reads: “For your own well-being, you should not affiliate with any unrecognized Greek or other student organizations. Hofstra University does not advise or control the actions of any unrecognized groups. Inactive and unrecognized Greek chapters are not permitted to recruit, hold events, or induct new members.”

“As of now, the investigation is still ongoing. We voluntarily severed ties with our Nationals because it was time to pay insurance for the year and we couldn’t justify paying it without knowing the results of the investigation,” the Delta Alpha chapter said in a statement emailed to The Chronicle on Monday, Dec. 9. “After severing ties with our nationals, it was protocol for the University to suspend the chapter. We are still awaiting a verdict on the investigation for Hofstra.”

SAM Nationals did not respond to The Chronicle’s request for additional comment on Monday, Dec. 9 before the time of publication.