Fraternity woes continue

The president had a run-in with the law Thursday morning.

By Anna Koeppel and Roseann Moring

Published May 6, 2008

After Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity lost its official status as an organization, its president, Christopher Lupo, had two run-ins with the law last week, police said.

Columbia police Capt. Zim Schwartze said CPD received a call Friday morning because of a loud party with yelling and screaming around 2 a.m. Friday morning at the fraternity’s Stewart Road house.

Lupo was issued a summons for peace disturbance, which is what CPD generally does in response to parties, Schwartze said.

Robert D. Fritz, an MU junior, was also arrested on suspicion of possession of alcohol by a minor.

MU police Capt. Scott Richardson said Lupo was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and failure to drive within a single lane on at 1:29 a.m. on Tuesday morning at the corner of Carter Lane and Campusview Drive.

Lupo could not be reached for comment.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon lost its status as an official student organization last month after Student Life Director Mark Lucas sent a letter to Lupo revoking the fraternity’s status, effective immediately. The chapter did not appeal the sanction.

The fraternity national headquarters has also been investigating the chapter.

Brandon Weghorst, Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Headquarters spokesman, said the national organization’s investigation has not been completed. But while the investigation is ongoing, the headquarters has halted chapter operations, according to a previous Maneater report.

Weghorst said the board would likely reach one of three conclusions: that the MU chapter will still be recognized by the national headquarters; that the chapter will be put on alumni commission, a type of probation where the chapter would have to make all of its decisions through alumni; or the national headquarters would suspend the MU chapter’s charter, according to the report.