Penn State officially places fraternity on indefinite suspension for hazing
Penn State has officially placed a fraternity on suspension after a university investigation into hazing allegations.
The university launched an investigation of the Lambda Lambda chapter of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity in March after it received reports of alleged hazing, including physical and mental abuse, and forced physical activity, the university said in a news release Wednesday. During the investigation the chapter was placed on interim suspension in March.
Once the investigation was completed, the university found the chapter violated Penn State’s student code of conduct and its hazing policies. The fraternity is suspended indefinitely, effective Aug. 4, for a minimum of four years. If the chapter wants to return after that period, it will have an additional two years of probation, the release stated.
“As a result of the suspension, Phi Beta Sigma has lost all privileges associated with being a recognized student organization. This includes access to University resources, staff support, health and safety trainings, campus facilities, and participation in University-sanctioned events such as Homecoming, intramural sports and THON,” the release stated.
One student has been held accountable through the student conduct process, Penn State said. Another student is no longer enrolled and is ineligible for continued enrollment, the release stated, pending the outcome of the conduct process.
Individual students and the organization are facing charges under the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, which went into effect in November 2018. The law was prompted by the February 2017 death of Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State sophomore engineering student who died of severe head and abdominal injuries after a series of falls inside the now-shuttered Beta Theta Pi house.
The Centre Daily Times previously reported the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity’s Dean Jacob D. Francis, 23, and President Jayson Archer, 21, were each charged with misdemeanor counts of simple assault and hazing.
Francis was accused of hitting new members with wooden paddles, punching them in the chest and isolating them. In an anonymous tip sent to university police in March, a pledge said it left new members feeling “humiliated, fearful, and broken.”
Archer was accused of overseeing the alleged hazing. A township police officer was told of “potential minor bruising” and fainting. The anonymous tip said recruits had to “endure the pain to be a part of the brotherhood” and “bleed, both literally and figuratively, to be accepted.”
They’re believed to be the first charged in Centre County under the law.
“Hazing has no place at Penn State,” Wednesday’s release stated. “The University remains committed to holding individuals and organizations accountable for actions that endanger the safety and well-being of our students. Addressing hazing requires the collective effort of our entire community — students, faculty, staff, alumni, national organizations, and families — to foster a culture that prioritizes respect, accountability and the health and safety of every student.”
According to the university, nine fraternities are currently suspended for violations. Some continue to operate without the support or formal recognition by Penn State.
