A Penn State fraternity facing criminal charges for the alleged physical and mental abuse of pledges has now been suspended indefinitely by the university.
The Lambda Lambda chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, which had been on interim suspension since March pending investigation, cannot return as a university-recognized fraternity for at least four years, Penn State wrote in a news release on Wednesday.
The investigation, which launched after the university’s Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response “received credible reports of alleged hazing,” found that Phi Beta Sigma violated Penn State’s Student Code of Conduct and hazing policy, according to the release.
If the chapter applies for reinstatement after four years, it will be subject to an additional two years of conduct probation.
One fraternity member has been held accountable through the student conduct process, while a second is “no longer enrolled and is ineligible for continued enrollment pending the outcome of the conduct process,” Penn State said.
Chapter dean Jacob D. Francis, 23, and president Jayson Archer, 20, were each charged in May with counts of physical and mental hazing and simple assault following an investigation by Ferguson Township police. The chapter was charged in July with one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit organizational hazing, a category created by Pennsylvania’s Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law enacted in 2018.
The investigation stemmed from a complaint about hazing occurring at a residence on Farmstead Lane in Ferguson Township where Francis and Archer resided and which served as the Phi Beta Sigma house. Francis is accused of punching new members in the chest, hitting them with a paddle, overseeing forced physical activity and enforcing a daily regimen designed to isolate them from anyone outside the chapter. Archer is accused of endorsing and overseeing the alleged hazing in his leadership role.
For the duration of the university suspension, the chapter loses all rights and privileges as a Penn State-recognized organization, including professional staff support, health and safety training, access to campus spaces, use of Penn State branding and participation in university events and activities.
The fraternity’s national organization cooperated with the investigation and “has remained an active partner in addressing the matter,” according to the university.
Phi Beta Sigma is among four fraternity chapters to be suspended by the university for hazing since December. Sigma Pi and Acacia were each suspended for a minimum of four years but continue to operate independently outside of university oversight. Pi Delta Psi was suspended for more than three years.
“Hazing has no place at Penn State,” the university wrote on Wednesday. “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.
