Sigma Alpha Epsilon will receive its new charter this semester after a seven-year absence.
SAE reapplied for its charter this semester after being removed from the University in 1997 for violations of University policies and state laws following the alcohol-induced death of 20-year-old pledge Benjamin Wynne. But returning this year with full privileges and no probationary status, members hope to put the death behind them.
Chapter President Robert Denny said members of the fraternity never discuss Wynne’s death.
“None of us were there when that happened,” Denny said. “That’s not us.”
According to Reveille coverage, Wynne, a transfer student from Southeastern Louisiana University, went out drinking Aug. 25, 1997, to celebrate his bid with his new fraternity brothers.
At 1:10 a.m., Wynne died at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center with a blood alcohol content of .588.
“The student death indicated to us that something was very wrong,” said Director of Greek Affairs Victor Felts.
Then Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Services and Dean of Students Thomas Risch charged SAE with engaging in conduct that “had the potential for causing harm, physical injury and mental anguish to persons, which in fact caused or contributed to such harm.”
The fraternity was also charged with failure to abide by local laws concerning providing alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age.
SAE was also removed for violating conditions of their suspension by continuing to meet for both organizational and social purposes.
The fraternity was officially removed from campus March 15, 1998, after a suspension and an investigation took place, according to correspondence between the national president of SAE and Risch.
SAE was removed from campus that year and recolonized in Spring 2003.
Britton Davidson, a history sophomore, was one of the original 30 members who helped recolonize the fraternity.
Davidson said Wynne’s death is no longer an issue for SAE.
“We have nothing to do with all that,” Davidson said.
Denny said the fraternity will celebrate its return at a banquet on Feb. 26.
“These are totally different people with a totally different attitude,” Felts said.
Wynne’s family declined to comment when contacted.