Fraternity Sigma Nu TERMINATED from University of Utah

Yet another fraternity has been found in violation of egregious conduct, including hazing, and other forms of violence.

This time, fraternity Sigma Nu has been exposed and punished. The University of Utah terminated its recognition of the Sigma Nu fraternity, claiming it violated university policies.

Specifically, the information alleged that Sigma Nu engaged in hazing new members during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 recruitment cycles. The following are examples of the hazing, according to the Office of the Dean of Students:

• New members were forced to consume alcohol in a circle until a 30-case of beer was finished. If the case was not finished by the time the last new member received the case, they were forced to drink the remaining amount until it was all consumed.
• New and recently-initiated members were required to complete chores in the chapter house (that no other active members were required to complete), including cleaning up floors and after parties. These chores would sometimes occur on school days at 3 or 4 a.m. If the chores were not completed, new members were threatened to be “humped” by active members or be dropped from the chapter.
• During early morning activities, new members were given tests. If they answered incorrectly, they would be given more tests.
• New members were required to wear pledge pins at all times. To get their pins, they were blindfolded and had to crawl through the chapter facility to find them.
• New members were required to complete a certain number of interviews with active members. The interviews required illegal substances like marijuana.
• New members were blindfolded and kidnapped by active members and taken to an exotic dance club.
• Each new member was assigned a “Goot Master” who would give them a derogatory name.
• The fraternity hosted a Halloween party funded by new members at the rate of $600 per new member. There was approximately $15,000 worth of alcohol present.
• New members were required to carry a “pledge pack” with them at all times that included tobacco, condoms, a golf tee, gum, Zyns, and a marijuana pen.
• Active members were assigned “colors” that identified how much they were allowed to haze new members.
• New members were assigned roles that required them to perform workouts on Sunday mornings from 5-6 a.m., share weather forecasts, and eat specific food.
• During the “I-week,” new members were forced to stay in the basement of the chapter facility from Friday to Sunday. Limited food was provided, they slept on the basement floor, and they were required to sing songs while the active members and alumni were present.
• Alcohol was provided to new members and students during bid day activities.

“These violations are egregious— the behavior found to have taken place were of all three types of hazing categories — subtle, harassment, and violent — and there has been a pattern of misbehavior over the past six years including hazing, alcohol-related violations, and destruction of property,” she said, in part. “I do not have confidence the Sigma Nu chapter will follow the University’s directions, policies, or terms of a suspension, and therefore, termination of the University’s recognition of the chapter is warranted.”

Read the Dean’s letter here: https://d26toa8f6ahusa.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/03223507/Sigma_Nu_Hearing_Decision_May_2025_Redacted-1.pdf

Tamara Holder Law represents victims of fraternity abuse – rape, sexual harassment, hazing, and other forms of violent conduct. We represent women and students throughout the country. If something happened to you at the hands of a fraternity member or at a fraternity party or event, we can help. Call us at 312-440-9000 or intake@tamaraholder.com