ENMU fraternity suspended for two years

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University officials have suspended the Zeta Sigma chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity for two years, according to Vice President of Student Affairs Jeff Long.

No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the suspension, but several members of the chapter admitted to using more than one type of controlled substance in the fraternity house, according to police documents.

Long said Monday the local chapter has been suspended until the fall 2019 semester. At that time, students can re-form an ENMU chapter only if former members have met the conditions of their suspension, and that they hold no events, organized activities or recruitment on behalf of the fraternity organization, Long said. Also, students cannot wear the fraternity’s letters or have meetings on or off campus in the name of the fraternity.

“They have some things they have to do to demonstrate that when they come back, they will be good representatives of not only the fraternity but the university,” Long said. “We’re open to them returning, and we’d like for them to return as long as they follow the terms of the suspension.”

The fraternity house is located on the corner of First Street and South Avenue E in Portales.

ENMU President Steven Gamble said last month that the Title IX investigation had resulted “in discipline for currently enrolled students” and declined to comment on whether the investigation had impacted any university staff members or not.

The Portales Police Department was also conducting an investigation regarding accusations that a drug-facilitated sexual assault took place at the fraternity house. The Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office decided against pursuing charges for the alleged drug use and sexual assault accusations, according to Assistant District Attorney Jake Boazman.