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The Kappa Sigma fraternity at the University of Iowa fraternity has been suspended as the university investigates allegations of hazing.
According to reports, on Friday, November 2, the Kappa Sigma fraternity was suspended from the university, bringing the total number of suspended fraternities up to 12. Just this past October, the university suspended nine fraternities due to alcohol violations.
University of Iowa spokeswoman Anne Bassett said that Kappa Sigma is on hiatus “pending further investigation into violations of university policy due to hazing allegations,” according to UI spokeswoman Anne Bassett.
Speaking to The Gazette, University of Iowa Interfraternity Council President Jason Pierce said that his understanding was that “it was just a really bad situation.”
UI Interfraternity Council President Jason Pierce told The Gazette his understanding was that “it was just a really bad situation.”
Additionally, IU spokeswoman Hayley Bruce said the UI Department of Public Safety is not investigating any incidents of hazing at this time.
via The Gazette:
UI officials declined to provide details of the alleged behavior at Kappa Sigma, which debuted its UI chapter in 1902 and went dormant in 2003 before returning in 2014.
Allegations involved alcohol use and wall sits — assuming the sitting position with backs against a wall — and other forms of abuse, according to Pierce, who said that “110 percent it’s concerning to me.” He said he was concerned both about the chapter’s culture and the pledges involved.
“If you care about someone, you don’t want to embarrass them,” he said. “For those who are getting hazed, my advice is that it’s not a place you want to be. Why would a group of friends who supposedly care about you put you in that situation?”
The closure of Kappa Sigma at the University of Iowa is the latest major Greek life suspension, expulsion, or overhaul in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State, and Penn State have all suspended fraternities for various reasons.
Fraternities have been suspended or expelled across the nation as Greek life organizations and universities attempt to grapple with the pitfalls of hazing, alcohol and drug abuse, and sexual assault.