LEWISBURG -- The fallout for Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Oklahoma comes as SAE’s National Chapter continues to crack down on its fraternities nation-wide for hazing problems on campus.
A chapter at Bucknell University in Lewisburg was suspended from campus for such violations in 2011.
Shocking video making national headlines shows members of the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon chanting racial slurs against African-Americans while on a bus trip.
The chapter, located at the University of Oklahoma has since been shut down by its national chapter and two students expelled by the school.
At Bucknell University in Lewisburg, college students say they are horrified by the video.
“It`s just disgusting. It`s just been associated with fraternity life for a while now. To see it going on is just horrible,” said senior Ryan Joseph.
“It just terrible, what it is. It`s awful,” said senior Alex Ryan.
Bucknell`s own chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is marred by scandal as well, suspended from campus in 2011 by both the school and Sigma`s national chapter for hazing and alcohol violations.
That suspension ends in May 2016.
“They`re very strict. They definitely want to make sure there`s no hazing,” said Joseph.
According to Bucknell University, the plan is to reinstate the fraternity this spring which would allow it to recruit members this fall, then to have the fraternity return to its former home on campus in the fall of 2016.
While Bucknell`s chapter was never accused of having issues as severe as Oklahoma`s chapter, Dr. Kevin Burton lives across the street from SAE's former campus house. He wants some questions answered before he will feel completely comfortable with SAE returning.
“Is it a fraternity or a hate group? That`s a question that their national has to ask. That`s a question that the universities have to ask.”
Sigma Alpha Epsilon's national chapter does keep a list of any chapters with health and safety violations going back five years on the national chapter's website; those violations include alcohol and hazing issues.