Penn State fraternity suspended for at least 4 years after hazing investigation
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- The chapter is on indefinite suspension for a minimum of four years.
- Investigation found hazing acts of physical and mental abuse, sleep deprivation, alcohol.
- Suspended chapters lose university recognition, resources and more until 2030.
Penn State has imposed a four-year suspension on the Delta Chi fraternity after an investigation into reports of hazing, while another fraternity was placed on interim suspension earlier this month for alleged violations of university guidelines.
The Delta Chi chapter was found to have violated Penn State’s anti-hazing policy and Student Code of Conduct after an investigation by the university’s Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, according to a news release. The chapter, located at 424 E. Fairmount Ave. in State College, is on indefinite suspension for a minimum of four years. If they attempt to return, they will face an additional two years of conduct probation, the university stated.
The investigation was initiated in January due to reports of alleged hazing practices, which included physical and mental abuse, sleep deprivation and excessive alcohol consumption, placing the fraternity on interim suspension.
Delta Chi’s international organization — having fully cooperated throughout the process — has revoked the chapter’s charter and suspended all support indefinitely, the university said.
“Hazing has no place at Penn State. The University remains committed to holding individuals and organizations accountable for actions that endanger the safety and well-being of our students,” Penn State wrote in the news release.
During their suspension period that will last until 2030, the chapter will no longer be recognized as a student organization, losing 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 university wrote.
Additionally, they are not permitted to hold meetings, events, or recruitment activities, the university’s “Suspended and Unrecognized Groups” webpage stated. They also acknowledged how some groups may continue operating without official recognition from the university, which they said can pose serious risks and can harm the integrity and reputation of the campus community.
Another frat placed on interim suspension
Another Penn State fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, was placed on interim suspension on April 13, according to the university’s student affairs website. It is under investigation for alleged violations of the university’s “policies and guidelines.”
A Penn State spokesperson declined to comment about the fraternity due to its ongoing investigation.
The fraternity was also placed on interim suspension in 2020 after hosting a social gathering that “exceeded state and local government directives” during the COVID-19 pandemic and violated the university’s social moratorium policy.
Other suspended Penn State fraternities
Below is a list of suspended Penn State fraternity chapters , according to Student Affairs:
- Delta Sigma Iota Fraternity, Inc. has been suspended until May 29 for hazing, alcohol and/or drug, and other university policy violations
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is suspended until Sept. 11, 2027 for hazing violations. They are not currently active, according to the university.
- Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. is suspended until spring 2028 for hazing violations. They have been inactive, according to the university.
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is suspended until spring 2029 for hazing violations and is not currently active, the university stated.
- Beta Theta Pi Fraternity is permanently suspended for hazing violations and is currently inactive, according to the university. The fraternity was permanently banned after a hazing incident that led to Timothy Piazza’s death in 2017.
- Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, 351 E. Fairmount Ave., State College, has been on interim suspension since Jan. 2.
There are also a number of unrecognized chapters and organizations, including those that are part of the State College IFC, an independent, student-led council created last spring that the university has cautioned against.
Penn State’s Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research released a new report earlier this month titled “Charge for Change: Building Safer Campuses Now with Research-Informed Hazing Prevention,” outlining data and research driven strategies to prevent hazing on college campuses.
The Piazza Center will be hosting webinars and in-person programs in the coming months to support the report’s rollout, where the first one took place on April 21.
