Kappa Sigma operations temporarily cease, reported COVID-19 rules violation

The University of Richmond’s Beta Beta chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity has temporarily ceased operations due to a report of an in-person event breaking COVID-19 restrictions.

The cease operations order is not a suspension, but rather is intended to allow UR and Kap Sig nationals to conduct an investigation, Associate Director of Greek life Meg Pevarski wrote in an email to The Collegian on Feb. 15.

“As per the outcomes of the investigation, the chapter members involved in the in-person gathering have been sanctioned appropriately and the chapter will have additional sanctions specific to the outcomes of the investigation,” Pevarski wrote.

The Collegian could not confirm whether the in-person event that broke COVID-19 restrictions was a recruitment event. All Greek life organizations are supposed to be holding recruitment events online because of COVID-19 safety guidelines, according to the Center for Student Involvement.

“While there are options available right now for chapters and interested men to engage in virtual recruitment[,] any chapter found to be in non-compliance with the COVID compact will face individual and group conduct charges,” Pevarski wrote. 

Kap Sig’s suspension comes after the rise of the Abolish Greek Life Instagram account, which was created in July 2020. Abolish Greek life calls for UR to disband IFC and National Panhellenic Council Greek life on campus in July. 

The order for Kap Sig to cease operations comes after UR’s chapter of the Theta Chi fraternity was also found to have broken COVID-19 restrictions by holding an in-person party at the beginning of the semester. Theta Chi has been suspended since last semester.

As of Feb. 5, Theta Chi remains under investigation, Ben Hill, chief communications officer of Theta Chi national headquarters, wrote in an email statement to The Collegian.

Junior and Kap Sig president Noel Lora-Martinez did not respond to The Collegian’s request for comment.

Kappa Sigma nationals did not respond to The Collegian’s request for comment.

Contact news writer Eileen Pomeroy at eileen.pomeroy@richmond.edu.