Sigma Nu fraternity is reinstating its UCSB chapter this quarter for the first time since 2008.

The new branch advertises itself as an original chapter that aims to establish novel values and traditions. The last Sigma Nu chapter — founded in 1983 at UCSB — was closed three years ago due to alleged misconduct charges that involved hazing.

Joshua Green, Sigma Nu director of recruitment, said the frat’s recolonization will provide prospective members with the opportunity to take a proactive approach in the organization’s establishment.

“The chapter will give undergrads an opportunity to build the infrastructure of the fraternity from the ground up,” Green said. “They get to decide what the fraternity means to them.”

Established in Virginia, Sigma Nu currently has more than 180 active chapters throughout the country and was originally founded in opposition to hazing practices. However, Tyler Saenz, Sigma Nu expansion and recruitment consultant, said the UCSB chapter was shut down in 2008 due to extreme hazing practices.

Saenz said the last chapter violated the “risk reduction policy” — a regulation designed to prevent hazing in the Greek system — resulting in the board’s decision to revoke their charter.

“The men had strayed away from our core values and the board of directors decided to shut them down,” Saenz said. “The new chapter will be a brand new set of members.”

According to Green, the organization’s headquarters received an overwhelming demand from alumni urging the reopening of the Santa Barbara chapter. Two Sigma Nu staff members, including Saenz, will live in Isla Vista for the next two quarters to oversee the fraternity’s reinstatement.

The chapter is currently in its recruitment phase, which will last throughout Winter and Spring Quarters. It will take over a year for the chapter to fulfill the criteria required to receive a charter and the frat will not act independently until Fall 2011.

Some members of the original Sigma Nu fraternity reestablished themselves as part of the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, which has recently been closed down due to undisclosed reasons.

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