Several Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity members at Iowa State have had their membership suspended, SAE national headquarters said in a statement.

“Chapter and local alumni leaders continue to work with the chapter members on ensuring they meet our national standards and requirements as well as those set forth by the university,” the statement said.

“The suspensions, which have been reaffirmed by the national headquarters, are part of an ongoing process to make sure the members’ actions reflect our creed, ‘The True Gentleman,’ and our guiding principles. Last fall, alumni advisers completed a membership review during which several members were also suspended.”

According to SAE laws, suspended members temporarily lose all rights and privileges of being SAE members, including the ability to attend the fraternity’s meetings and social affairs or to be permitted into any chapter house.

Suspended members can regain their SAE membership after graduation, according to SAE laws. However, if a member was suspended by a special commission, he must petition the Supreme Council to be reinstated as a SAE member.

Brandon Weghorst, associate executive director of communications for SAE’s national headquarters, said he did not know the exact ways in which the members failed to meet national SAE or ISU requirements.

Offenses recognized by SAE law are: commission of offenses against “the law of the land or a college or university”; violation of laws, by-laws or lawful orders of SAE; violation of the oath taken at initiation; conduct unbecoming of a gentleman or “prejudicial to good order and discipline”; and delinquency in accounts (payments to SAE) and scholarship.

“National collegiate members are expected to follow guidelines and principles,” Weghorst said. “Our goal is to help them meet those standards.”

Weghorst said he did not know how many SAE members at Iowa State were suspended, but he said there were several.

Sources in the greek community said 20 to 40 SAE in-house members at Iowa State moved out of the house last weekend. There has been no confirmation on whether the members left of their own accord or were told to leave.

Weghorst said the house is not managed or owned by SAE national headquarters, so national headquarters did not ask members to leave the house. He said the house’s landlord can ask members to move out.

According to the Ames city assessor’s website, Iowa Gamma association Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the deed holder for SAE’s house, located at 140 Lynn Ave. 

The contract holder is not listed on the website. However, Charles Colwell, of Marshalltown, is listed as the owner’s mailing address.

Colwell was not available for immediate comment.

Jenn Plagman-Galvin, assistant dean of students and program director of Greek Affairs, said she would not talk about SAE’s membership decisions. She said the chapter makes decisions on who is a member and who is not.

Plagman-Galvin also said she could not comment on SAE’s judicial affairs because she does not make adjudicative decisions. She directed inquiries to Iowa State’s Office of Judicial Affairs.

Sara Kellogg, assistant director of judicial affairs, said Iowa State did not make SAE reduce its number of members. Kellogg said she could not comment on specific judicial cases involving the university and SAE.

Weghorst said there is nothing to make him believe SAE will lose its charter at Iowa State.

Check back with iowastatedaily.net as this story develops.