NC State's Sigma Nu suspended by national fraternity after 'heinous and grievous acts'

Faith Wardwell, The News & Observer on Nov 6, 2026

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RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State University’s oldest fraternity will shut down indefinitely, its national organization said Friday afternoon, following a weeks-long probe into graphic hazing allegations within the fraternity.

According to a release Friday afternoon, the national Sigma Nu Fraternity suspended the charter of its NC State chapter effective immediately, after “significant and severe violations of the Fraternity’s principles, law, policies, and membership requirements” that they said occurred in the chapter’s “activities.”

The chapter will remain closed until further notice, officials said.

“The Fraternity continues to appreciate the diligent work of North Carolina State University Police Department officers in their thorough investigation, which remains ongoing,” the release states. “The Fraternity will continue to fully support and cooperate with the procedures of law enforcement officials in this matter.”

The suspension comes a day after search warrants revealed graphic videos and anonymous testimony that further detailed the hazing allegations. Those allegations included physical abuse, death threats, pressured drug use, induced vomiting and multiple hospitalizations, according to the warrants.

NC State officials suspended the fraternity from campus last week, simultaneously announcing the investigation into the alleged hazing practices. But the newest suspension from the national organization adds deeper, more permanent consequences for the fraternity that’s become mired in controversy.

The NC State Sigma Nu chapter was chartered in 1895.

“Hazing is an affront to human dignity and is the antithesis of Sigma Nu’s mission to develop ethical leaders inspired by the Fraternity’s principles of Love, Honor, and Truth,” Sigma Nu Executive Director and CEO Brad Beacham wrote in the statement. “Hazing is a betrayal of Sigma Nu’s membership oath. Those responsible for the heinous and grievous acts found by police must be held accountable by Sigma Nu Fraternity, North Carolina State University, and, if determined applicable, the criminal justice process of North Carolina.”

In a statement to The News & Observer on Friday afternoon, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman declined to comment on whether authorities would file charges against fraternity leaders under North Carolina’s anti-hazing law. But she said officials would “follow the evidence wherever it leads in considering what charges are appropriate.”

No criminal charges against any fraternity members have been announced. The N&O was unable to reach attorneys for several Sigma Nu members Friday.

“State law prohibits activities that are defined as hazing,” Freeman wrote in a message. “Abuse under any circumstances is not to be tolerated. It takes courage for victims to speak out. We take protecting our young people seriously and are committed to a thorough investigation and any resulting prosecution that serves to ensure that our college campuses are safe for everyone.”

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