In September 2013, University of North Texas student Derek Elrod contacted Sigma Phi Epsilon Headquarters to report allegations of hazing. An investigation determined that the chapter had violated the Fraternity’s policies on hazing, but the specifics of Elrod’s allegations conflicted with other evidence the Fraternity received.

In late 2013 and early 2014, Fraternity staff received a number of complaints concerning Elrod’s alleged harassment of fraternity members at the University of North Texas Chapter. The Fraternity put the University on notice of these complaints in an attempt to work with the school and Elrod to resolve the issues.

As recently as April 2015, Elrod expressed satisfaction with the Fraternity’s responsive actions. Despite this, on July 12, 2015, Elrod issued a list of demands to the Fraternity including termination of a staff member and monetary compensation. He later worked with blog Thinkprogress.org to publish his version of the story.

In March 2015, the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity was made aware of a 2013 video containing discriminatory comments made by a former member of the chapter. “This student clearly failed to understand the values of the Fraternity he joined,” said CEO Brian Warren. “His comments were appalling and are the antithesis of everything we teach our members. The fact that they were made nearly two years ago makes them no less hurtful.”

Members are admitted to Sigma Phi Epsilon without regard to race, color, religion, age, physical disability, ethnic background, sexual orientation, creed or national origin. The Fraternity proactively works to create more inclusive, diverse and accepting environments. Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated.

Timeline of events following allegations of hazing

On September 11, 2013, Derek Elrod contacted Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Headquarters to report allegations of hazing he said he experienced at the University of North Texas. That same day, the chapter was asked to cease all operations until the allegations could be thoroughly investigated.

An investigation into Derek Elrod’s hazing allegations began the following day, and a member of the Fraternity’s staff traveled to Denton, Texas to interview other students who could substantiate his claims. Fraternity staff obtained a redacted police report but did not receive the police dash cam recording that was later posted to YouTube by Derek Elrod in March 2015.

Between September 11, 2013 and November 14, 2013, the University of North Texas Chapter remained under suspended operations. During this time, the Fraternity’s staff made several attempts to connect Derek Elrod, at his request, with university services and resources.

The investigation determined that the chapter had violated the Fraternity’s policies on hazing, but the specifics of Derek Elrod’s allegations conflicted with other evidence the Fraternity received.

Before the chapter was reopened, former chapter officer Richard Randall stepped down from office, and new risk management and member development programs were implemented with the assistance of University staff and chapter volunteers. The chapter was also placed on a two-year probation to remain in effect until October 2015.

In late 2013 and early 2014, Fraternity staff received a number of complaints concerning Derek Elrod’s alleged harassment of fraternity members at the University of North Texas Chapter. The Fraternity put the University on notice of these complaints in an attempt to work with the school and Derek Elrod to resolve the issues.

Despite the Fraternity’s repeated efforts to resolve the situation, Derek Elrod later published inflammatory comments concerning the Fraternity on social media. On April 8, 2014, Derek Elrod had a telephone conversation with a Fraternity staff member concerning those comments.

On March 12, 2015, Fraternity staff were informed by the University of a 2013 police recording that Derek Elrod had posted to YouTube. Derek Elrod later removed the video and requested a meeting with members of the University of North Texas Chapter.

Between April 2, 2015 and April 15, 2015, Derek Elrod requested multiple meetings with University staff and undergraduate members of the chapter. The Fraternity complied with each of these requests and participated in each meeting in good faith. During each of these meetings, Derek Elrod expressed satisfaction with the Fraternity’s responsive actions outlined above, and claimed he had not previously been made aware of those actions.

Despite this, on July 11, 2015, Derek Elrod called a member of the Fraternity’s staff at 10:24 p.m. The call was returned the following day. During the conversation, Derek Elrod shared that he had posted to YouTube a recording of the April 2014 phone conversation he had with a SigEp staff member. Derek Elrod issued a list of demands including termination of the staff member and monetary compensation.