Sigma Chi International Fraternity chapter 'Kappa Theta' at California State University, Chaco, has decided to function autonomously from the campus, after a 20-year relationship with the university.

The fraternity will continue to hire new members, elect officers and engage in philanthropic and community services.

But moving away from the university affiliation, Sigma Chi will not be qualified to play intramural sports, participate in Greek Week and other inter-fraternal activities, will lose the opportunity to receive funds through revenue sharing and will no longer be able to attend leadership training and counseling sessions run by the university.

"We are not choosing to disassociate from the university so that the members of our chapter will be free of rules and regulations from the university," Greenberg said. "On the contrary, the undergraduate chapter and its alumni volunteers will continue to follow and abide by the rules set forth by campus, but without their supervision or oversight," International Vice President Michael Greenberg said.

Joe Wills, Director of Public Affairs, said that the university would want the student groups to be associated with the institution, even if they faced sanctions. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to supervise the fraternity activities.

Sigma Chi alleges that the reason for cutting connections with the university is because of their unreasonably high standards of expectations.

"Recent statements and actions by the administration suggest that it will swiftly deal with any Greek-letter organization that does not meet its definition of a "perfect" chapter...we feel that the administration's stance of requiring perfection in every case is unjust, unrealistic and does not lead to true learning opportunities for its student body by preventing the Greek-letter community's leaders and members to admit fault and find real solutions for change in collaboration with campus," the fraternity said in a statement.

Defending the university, Wills said that by demanding 'high standards' from the fraternities, the officials want them to stand by the university's principles.

The university suspended Sigma Chi for two years, last week, after discovering a fraternity officer involved in beer making in the chapter house.

According to the university's guidelines, all Greek chapter houses are required to be alcohol-free, and the manufacture of alcoholic beverages by a recognized university organization is a violation of the State Education Code.

Sigma Chi was already on probation for hosting a party last august at an annex house, violating the University Greek guidelines.

City Councillor and former Sigma Chi alum Randall Stone said that the university provided immense opportunities for fraternities to improve.

However, Stone also claims that a two-year suspension for brewing beer is harsh. The fraternity's exclusion from the university can result in influencing other Greek groups to adopt a similar stance.

Currently, Sigma Chi features 48 members and 15 pledges.