What started out as a simple prank on a fellow fraternity ended up costing Sigma Alpha Epsilon its recognition.

About five Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledges tore paper off of Delta Tau Delta's homecoming float Nov. 8, violating the Student Code of Conduct and their fraternity's probation status.

After investigating the incident, Associate Dean of students Veda Kowalski placed the fraternity on a suspended loss of recognition, meaning that the fraternity is not formally recognized by the university or allowed to participate in university activities until it fulfills a variety of sanctions.

The sanctions require the fraternity to make a formal written apology to the Interfraternity Council, give a presentation about "Positive Fraternal Relations," complete an organizational review process, conduct a membership review coordinated with its national organization and perform 500 community service hours, Kowalski said.

The fraternity underwent a membership review, in which the national organization interviewed members to identify those who exemplified the fraternity's principles, in fall 2001 after being placed on probation for hazing violations, which included the paddling of pledges.

That review cost the fraternity more than half of its members.

According to Greek Life membership records, Sigma Alpha Epsilon's membership fell from 110 members in fall 2001 to 44 members in spring 2002.

There are 73 members this semester.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon has already begun to fulfill many of its current sanctions since they were imposed last month, said Colin Brown, the past Eminent Archon of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

The fraternity's members have performed more than 200 of their 500 required hours of community service and hope to perform 1,000 hours of service before June, said Brown, a regional development senior.

The fraternity also delivered its formal apology to the IFC and will make its presentation about fraternal relations to the council next week. In addition, members are working on their organizational review, addressing rush, brotherhood and financial issues, Brown said.

"We are very much devoted to the task of getting back our recognition by the fall," Brown said.

The original probation in fall 2001 also required the group to perform a number of sanctions, including 1,000 hours of community service and developing a presentation about hazing.

The fraternity fulfilled all of those sanctions, but the vandalism in November violated its probation, leading to loss of recognition. The fraternity will be eligible to receive recognition when it completes the remaining sanction requirements. The deadline for completion is May 3, 2004.

"We are really starting to create ties and rebuild bridges that were once broken with the university and other fraternities and sororities," Brown said.