Updated: August 22, 2024
Registered student organizations (RSOs) suspected of violating university, state, or student organization policies are investigated and sanctioned as outlined in the Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct. Possible statuses can include:
- Termination
- Suspension
- Probation with Restrictions
Student organizations that have been Terminated include:
The University recommends that students not join or participate in any sponsored activity by the listed group(s).
- Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
- Terminated in May 2015 for holding events while suspended. The organization was placed on suspension followed by probation with alcohol restrictions in Spring 2013 for hosting a party at which a minor (17-year-old boy) and another guest were transported to detox after being served alcohol by Alpha Epsilon Pi. Subsequently, the organization was found responsible for four additional incidents involving events and/or alcohol while it was suspended or on alcohol restriction. The University considered termination for the penultimate incident and sanctioned Alpha Epsilon Pi with termination for the final incident.
- Following termination, seven allegations involving Alpha Epsilon Pi were brought to the University’s attention between 2016 and now. Three of these allegations involved intramural sports and disrespectful behavior. The more recent allegations involved drinking (one student being transported to the hospital after consuming shots at the organization’s house) and hazing (and anonymous report listed disturbing hazing behavior).
- Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity
- Terminated in October 2007 for holding alcohol events while on probation with alcohol restrictions. Sigma Alpha Mu was placed on probation with alcohol restrictions in Spring 2007 for hosting a party in violation of the University’s alcohol policies. Sigma Alpha Mu hosted two alcohol parties in violation of this probation.
- Following termination, 25 allegations involving Sigma Alpha Mu were brought to the University’s attention between 2007 and now. The majority of these allegations involve underage drinking at Sigma Alpha Mu parties. Three involved unspecified hazing (most recently in Fall 2017). One report from Spring 2010 alleged that Sigma Alpha Mu’s members created a website from which underage students could purchase alcohol that the members would buy and deliver.
Student organizations currently Suspended include:
Suspension means a temporary loss of all of an organization’s privileges for a specified period of time, not to exceed two years.
Student organizations currently on Probation with Restrictions include:
Probation with Restrictions indicates that the organization has been restricted in its activities due to sanctioning via the Registered Student Organization Disciplinary Process.
- Wisconsin Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team – Restricted from University Vehicle Reservations until January 28, 2025.
- Beta Theta Pi – Restricted from having events with alcohol until October 19, 2024.
- Tau Kappa Epsilon – Restricted from having events with alcohol until two weeks after Fall 2024 IFC fraternity recruitment.
Student organizations disassociated from the University include:
The University recommends that students not join or participate in any sponsored activity by the listed group(s). Membership or participation could increase safety concerns for students, as these groups are not accountable to any University policies or procedures.
- Mecha de UW-Madison
- Disaffiliated in June 2024 while under investigation for possible misconduct. After disaffiliating, a second investigation was opened for possible misconduct before the organization’s disaffiliation. Mecha de UW–Madison was found not responsible for any policy violations for those two cases.
- Anticolonial Scientists
- Disaffiliated in June 2024 while under investigation for possible misconduct. After disaffiliating, a second investigation was opened for possible misconduct before the organization’s disaffiliation. Anticolonial Scientists was found not responsible for any policy violations for those two cases.
- Theta Chi Fraternity
- Disaffiliated in November 2018 directly before a hearing for two misconduct cases — Theta Chi was found not responsible for any policy violations for those two cases. At the time of disaffiliation, Theta Chi had incomplete sanctions from three prior cases (Fall 2017) involving underage drinking (including a 17-year-old party guest who had to be taken to the hospital for alcohol poisoning) and sexually inappropriate requests made by a new member.
- Following disaffiliation, 14 allegations involving Theta Chi were brought to the University’s attention between 2020 and now. Thirteen of these allegations were for possible COVID-19 event restriction violations; nearly all of the 14 allegations involved alcohol or underage drinking.
Student organizations currently on Interim Suspension include:
Interim Suspension indicates that the organization must cease activities pending an investigation and decision via the Registered Student Organization Disciplinary Process. An Interim Suspension does not indicate the organization has been found to be in violation of the Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct.
A further description of policies can be found in the Policy Library: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-2002.
Organizations terminated or that disassociated from the University while actively involved in a disciplinary process must petition for reinstatement. Details on the reinstatement process can be found here: Registered Student Organization Reinstatement Process, and the petition form can be accessed here: https://win.wisc.edu/submitter/form/start/470178.