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Penn State Fraternity Suspended After Hazing Investigation, Continues to Operate Independently

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Photo by Sarah Lynn DeCarlo

Geoff Rushton

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Penn State has suspended a fraternity following a hazing and misconduct investigation, but the chapter continues to operate independently without university recognition, the school said on Thursday.

Sigma Pi, which has a house at 303 Fraternity Row in State College, was placed on indefinite suspension effective July 17 after it was found in violation of the university’s hazing policy .

Penn State’s Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response launched an investigation in March after receiving multiple reported allegations of “physical and mental abuse, forced consumption of alcohol, forced consumption of undesirable substances, forced physical activity and forced servitude,” according to the university.

Sigma Pi was invited to submit proposals for “educational remediation” during the student conduct process, and initial conversations occurred between university staff, chapter leadership and the fraternity’s headquarters staff, Penn State wrote.

The chapter, however, voluntarily withdrew its university recognition before the conclusion of the conduct process.

The suspension, which will last at least four years, was imposed “given the severity of the misconduct and the chapter’s decision not to engage in a collaborative and educational sanctioning process,” according to the university.

For the duration of the suspension, the chapter loses all rights and privileges as a university organization, including professional staff support, health and safety training, access to campus spaces, use of Penn State branding and participation in university activities.

Sigma Pi is operating as an independent off-campus organization with the support of its parent international organization, which Penn State says removes university oversight of the chapter’s activities at its privately-owned house in the borough.

“Students and members of the community are strongly encouraged not to engage with unrecognized organizations,” the university wrote. “While Penn State may still hold individual students accountable under the Student Code of Conduct, the University’s ability to sanction such groups as a whole is limited. Reports involving unrecognized organizations are shared with local law enforcement and national headquarters for further review and potential action.”

Sigma Pi is the second fraternity to voluntarily withdraw its university recognition amid a misconduct investigation this year.

Acacia, 234 Locust Lane, was also suspended for a minimum of four years in May, but continues to operate as an independent, off-campus organization with the backing of its international headquarters after preemptively withdrawing its Penn State recognition during the student conduct process.

Sigma Pi and Acacia are among four Penn State fraternities to be suspended following hazing allegations since December.

Pi Delta Psi was suspended in December for more than three years.

Phi Beta Sigma was placed on interim suspension in March. Criminal charges of hazing were filed against two of its members in May, and organizational hazing charges were filed against the fraternity in July.

Sigma Pi and Acacia are also among several fraternities that have chosen to forego university recognition and operate independently. Earlier this year, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Chi and Pi Kappa Alpha, which had already been operating independently, formed their own State College Interfraternity Council.

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