Penn State suspends frat after hazing reports. Despite that, it operates unrecognized
A Penn State fraternity has been placed on organizational suspension indefinitely this week after the university investigated reports of misconduct and hazing.
The Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigated the Acacia fraternity, 234 Locust Lane, State College, in February after receiving a credible report, a release from the university states.
“Allegations included members seeking medical care following forced alcohol and tobacco consumption, acts of servitude and extended periods of required participation without adequate rest,” the university said.
The release states Acacia was able to submit proposals for educational remediation. Initially, discussions with the chapter’s legal representation suggested they were willing to engage in a reformative process, the release states, but ultimately declined to do so and withdrew their recognition from Penn State.
“OSACR continued to attempt to engage with the chapter, however the chapter chose not to participate in the remainder of the student conduct process. Given the nature of the misconduct and the chapter’s lack of engagement, the University determined that an indefinite suspension was warranted. The suspension will be in place for a minimum of four years,” the release states. The suspension is effective May 7.
A suspension means Acacia loses all rights and privileges of a recognized student organization. It also loses access to campus spaces, the ability to use University branding and to participate in activities such as homecoming, Greek Sing, intramural sports and Thon.
The Acacia fraternity is operating as an unrecognized organization off-campus, despite the suspension, Penn State said. They’re doing this with the support of their international organization.
By doing so, this removes Penn State’s ability to provide any oversight of activities at the fraternity house, which is privately owned and off-campus.
“Reports of concerning, high-risk behavior continue, and students and members of the community are strongly encouraged to avoid engagement with the group,” the university said.
Acacia joins a growing list of fraternities that have been suspended and go on to operate unrecognized, or operate independently for other reasons.
What other fraternities are suspended?
Three fraternities have been placed on interim suspension this semester, including Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Sigma Pi Fraternity. The university’s student affairs site states they’re all on interim suspension for “alleged violations of university policies and guidelines.”
While on interim suspension, the organizations have temporarily had all activities and privileges halted by Penn State or its national governing bodies due to alleged serious violations of university policies, local laws or organizational standards, the site states.
A number of suspended fraternities have had their recognition revoked by Penn State for various reasons, including “hazing and endangering others, risk management violations, and/or failure to comply with University policies and expectations,” the site states.
Suspended fraternities are:
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity: Permanently suspended for hazing violations
Delta Sigma Iota Fraternity, Inc.: Suspended through May 29, 2026 for hazing, alcohol and/or drug violations, and other university policy violations.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.: Suspended through Sept. 11, 2027 for hazing violations
Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity (Skulls): Suspended through fall 2027 for hazing violations. It has continued to operate unsanctioned by Penn State or inter/national organization, and the university “strongly recommend students do not engage with this chapter.”
Pi Delta Psi: Suspended through spring 2028 after an investigation found that during the 2024 spring semester, the fraternity hazed new members. It will have an additional year of probation extending through spring 2029 after a successful re-recognition.
Theta Delta Chi Fraternity: Suspended through spring 2025 after it hosted an “unauthorized, high-risk event in March 2024.” Penn State said the national organization agreed to facilitate educational opportunities for students who wish to continue membership with the group following the period of suspension.
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (PIKE): Suspended through fall 2025 for failure to comply with a directive or condition, alcohol and/or drug violations and other university policy violations. It continues to operate with the support of their inter/national organization, the site states.
Some fraternities are unrecognized, or actively disaffiliated from Penn State, and continue to operate outside of oversight provided by an established fraternity or sorority system, the site states. That list includes: Sigma Chi Fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (PIKE), Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity (Skulls), and Acacia Fraternity.
Earlier this semester, three fraternities banded together to form an independent State College Interfraternity Council. The founding members are Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi and Tau Kappa Epsilon. Penn State has said the rogue independent council is “deeply concerning” and strongly discouraged students from affiliating with the unrecognized organizations and avoiding events hosted by the groups.
