A University of Minnesota fraternity shut down last year for violations that included hazing and a serious, life-threatening drinking incident had its two-year suspension reduced and dropped its lawsuit against the university.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) launched a lawsuit against the university in December, claiming the U defamed the chapter by saying there were "issues around sexual assault" at the fraternity. The university agreed to reduce the sanctions two months later. SAE dropped its lawsuit.
"The University believed that the resolution was in the best interests of all involved," university officials said in a statement released Wednesday.
"SAE initiated a lawsuit because of concerns about the handling of this matter, but ultimately did not pursue that option," the fraternity said in a statement.
Under the agreement, the fraternity's suspension will be lifted June 1. SAE will then be on probation for two years, requiring the fraternity to adhere to a number of restrictions, including keeping the fraternity house alcohol-free.
"SAE looks forward to returning to campus June 1 to continue its 115-year legacy at the University of Minnesota," the fraternity said in its statement.
The dispute between SAE and the university began last year when U officials imposed sanctions on the fraternity for incidents in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
In a 2013 hazing incident, new members were dropped off in a remote location with one to two kegs of beer and were told to finish it within a given time limit. University officials found that there were incidents at the chapter's formal event at an Alexandria, Minn., resort in April 2015 and at "Big Brother" events in October 2014 and March 2015. One of those events resulted in a student needing medical attention for alcohol consumption.
