Sigma Nu stands for Love, Honor, and Truth. In 2017, the only one of those three to survive was love.

After their suspension from IU in 2017, the Sigma Nu Beta Eta Chapter, is coming back to Indiana University rewrite history and culture.

Sigma Nu has a very rich history on Greek life at IU. The fraternity was brought to IU’s campus in 1862 and since have been a major fraternity on campus. Former IU Chancellor, Herman B. Wells, is an IU Sigma Nu alum himself.

In 2010, the fraternity took a turn for the worse and by 2017, the fraternity’s national governing body forced them to cease all activities and followed up with a five year suspension from campus. The fraternity was said to have violated the school’s alcohol and hazing policies.

Flash forward to 2019, Sigma Nu was ready to be reborn. At that time, IU freshmen, Ben Retzner, came to campus with the intent to rush a fraternity. After going through the rushing process, he says he was disappointed and discouraged with the fraternities on campus. He then decided he would take on the challenge of creating or reestablishing Sigma Nu instead.

After many discussions and help from higher ups, his fraternity brothers say Retzner became the hero to save Sigma Nu’s reputation. While the fraternity was working to be reestablished, they remained off campus due to the living on campus suspension. The brothers grew in numbers right off the bat and starting this summer will be able to live on campus again. Beta Sig, whom had rented Sigma Nu’s old house, will be moving across campus, and Sigma Nu will be able to move back into the house they once called home.

Retzner, along with his fraternity brothers, have been in constant contact with their alumni, national governing body, and IU faculty and staff in order to check all the boxes as they make their way back on campus.

With sexual assault cases on the rise within the IU community, Greek life has been taking a massive hit from all directions.

Sigma Nu brother, Nate Capek stated, “If I were a female, I would be scared to go anywhere near a party or social gathering alone.” The brothers of the fraternity are hoping to create a safer and better experience for all students.

IU Sororities have a program that they call Safe Sister where women across all 22 sororities go through training alongside IU’s Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Victim Advocacy. Sigma Nu, along with some other fraternity’s on campus are taking action by partnering with a similar program called, Men Against Sexual Assault (MARS). Sigma Nu had one of the highest numbers of interest and involvement in this program.

Anticipated struggles and obstacles have created roadblocks for Sigma Nu due to their history and Greek life issues across campus. However, no matter the difficulties, these men are determined to come back reestablished, redefined, and with a new level of respect.

For more information on the behind the scenes of Sigma Nu making its way back to IU, check out their website.