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The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at Louisiana State University has been placed on interim suspension.
While LSU officials did not provide specifics as to what caused the suspension, Ernie Ballard, a spokesman for LSU, confirmed that “the allegations against Pi Kappa Phi are very serious.”
At this time, the Pi Kappa Phi chapter remains under investigation for alleged violations of the LSU Code of Student Conduct.
According to The Advocate, the suspensions of Pi Kappa Phi marks the second time this semester that LSU has placed a fraternity under investigation for possible violations.
Johnathan Sanders, the Associate Dean of Students and Director of SAA, sent the following letter to the fraternity, ordering them to cease all chapter events:
via The Advocate:
The university would not provide specifics as to what prompted the suspension. Ernie Ballard, a spokesman for LSU, did confirm that “the allegations against Pi Kappa Phi are very serious.”
“We do not take violations of our Student Code of Conduct lightly,” Ballard said. “We cannot go into specific details at this time, but the university will fully investigate the claims. If they are substantiated, then appropriate action will be taken.”
Asked if the Pi Kappa Phi allegations involved hazing, Victor Tran, interim assistant executive director of communication for the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, said that “Pi Kappa Phi takes all allegations of hazing seriously.”
He added, “We are working with the University and have instructed our students to cooperate openly and honestly. We are cooperating fully with the university and expect our students to do the same.”
A year ago, in October 2017, Pi Kappa Phi was also placed on interim suspension for “a social event that was not in compliance with the Greek Life Status Update dated Oct. 4, 2017.”
The suspension of Pi Kappa Ph at Lousiana State University is the latest major fraternity or sorority lawsuit, investigation, suspension or closure in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State University, and Penn State have all suspended fraternities in the wake of hazing and alcohol deaths.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who was shut down for hazing and the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas which has been accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of women without their permission.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State, West Virginia University, and Penn State University have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
