The SAE house. Photo by Kendyl Seals.
Correction: Information about chapter members no longer living at the house on 68 W. Fifth St. was incorrectly attributed. The attribution has been changed in the following story to "officials said".
Tech’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter is officially closed for up to five years for health and safety
violations, an official at the SAE national headquarters announced Friday.
Chapter members can no longer live at the house on 68 W. Fifth St., conduct meetings or sponsor
events for at least four years or until all the current members graduate, officials said.
Members who live in the house reportedly must move out by the end of the month, although SAE
members declined to confirm.
Sao declined to comment on the number of students affected by the move but did say a local
housing corporation, which owns and operates the chapter property, will determine the housing status of the former members.
The fraternity and Tech officials remain optimistic a new chapter of SAE can be
re-established once this period is up, Sao said.
“The loss of this group is unfortunate, but suspensions are a critical reminder that adherence to
risk management policies and commitment to the mission and values of the organization are integral
components for members and chapters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon,”Sao said.
The closure follows the death of SAE member Paul Hamilton Ten Eyck, 23, of Maryville, who
died at the chapter house after a “senior transition night”in the early hours of Dec. 7. Cookeville police
are waiting for a toxicology report from a medical examiner in Nashville.
“Tennessee Tech Greek Life will increase mandatory health, safety and risk management
training efforts and initiatives to further educate and empower students to make positive choices,”Tech
senior director of public relations Dewayne Wright said.
