Former Beta Theta Pi Members Must Vacate Frat House

The 39 former members of Beta Theta Pi who live in the fraternity house at 222 N. Burrowes St. must move out in March after Penn State revoked the fraternity’s recognition following the death of student Timothy Piazza.

Though surrounded by the University Park campus, the Beta Theta Pi house is privately owned and on private property. Penn State is working with the fraternity’s alumni board, which owns the house, to offer the former members on-campus housing for the remainder of the spring semester, according to university spokeswoman Lisa Powers.

Their Housing & Food Services contracts will begin March 15. Powers added it is her understanding the alumni board/landlord will allow the students to remain in the house until then.

Piazza died on Feb. 4 at Hershey Medical Center as a result of traumatic injuries sustained when he fell down the basement steps at Beta Theta Pi fraternity on Feb. 2. He fell at about 11 p.m., but paramedics were not called until 10:49 a.m. the following morning. Authorities have not said what Piazza’s reported condition was in the hours after the fall.

State College Police said Piazza was intoxicated at the time of the fall and was one of 14 fraternity pledges present at the house for a bid acceptance ceremony. Investigators are looking at what role excessive alcohol consumption and hazing played.

University officials said the revocation of recognition for the fraternity at Penn State will last for “no less than” five years and may continue permanently after that. Members of the fraternity were immediately stripped of recognition in the Greek community at Penn State. The national fraternity also revoked Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi chapter charter.