Sigma Nu Closes NC State Chapter Following Hazing Probe
The Beta Tau chapter loses university recognition after a criminal investigation uncovered video evidence of alleged hazing incidents.
By Rafael Collins ·
Sigma Nu National Fraternity confirmed on Friday that the Beta Tau Chapter at North Carolina State University will shut down. The national organization announced the closure while a criminal investigation into the chapter remains active. This decision follows a series of search warrants executed by police that detailed graphic allegations of hazing.
The investigation began after anonymously submitted complaints reached the university in September. NC State placed the fraternity on interim suspension upon learning of these initial reports. By October, specific hazing allegations surfaced, prompting a deeper look into the chapter's activities. University police conducted a separate criminal probe alongside the administrative review.
Search warrants executed last week provided investigators with physical evidence. One warrant described video footage showing a male subject vomiting onto two unidentified individuals lying on the floor. Investigators believe the recording took place in a bathroom inside the Sigma Nu house. The documents outlined the severity of the alleged violations to justify the seizure of electronic devices and other materials.
In a statement to ABC11, the national fraternity cited severe violations of its principles, laws, and membership requirements as the cause for the suspension. The organization said it reached this decision in full consultation with NC State officials. It also expressed support for the ongoing work of the NC State University Police Department and pledged to cooperate with law enforcement procedures.
NC State released its own statement on Friday, noting that it does not tolerate hazing. The university said the safety and well-being of students are a top priority. Because the Beta Tau Chapter is no longer in good standing, the university revoked the chapter's recognition. Both the criminal investigation and the university conduct review are still in progress.
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said charging decisions could be made in the coming weeks. He indicated that investigators will likely be ready to present information to his office within the next 30 days. Former U.S. Attorney Michael Easley told ABC11 that the findings in the search warrant are shocking. He suggested the allegations represent a degraded culture within the specific organization.
Easley noted that if the allegations are true, they mark a significant departure from traditional fraternity standards. He said investigators may consider multiple potential offenses, including hazing statutes, narcotics charges, and assault charges. He described these potential charges as felony-level offenses. Legal experts expect investigators to use sophisticated technology to access the contents of dozens of electronic devices seized from the house.
National chapter officials are unsure of the immediate next steps for the students currently living in the home. Neither the university nor the national fraternity could specify how long students would be allowed to remain inside. The criminal investigation continues as police analyze the evidence collected from the search.
