Hazing reports released by area colleges under new state law
Area colleges and universities have publicly reported hazing incidents or the lack of them, as newly required by state law.
The law, signed by Gov. Tom Wolf in October, increases penalties on higher education institutions and organizations for hazing. Starting this month, it also requires colleges and universities to publicly report hazing incidents for the past five years. They will have to publicly report hazing incidents every six months.
The law was passed in response to the death of Timothy J. Piazza. The 19-year-old died following a pledge party at Penn State after a night of binge drinking as he sought to join the Beta Theta Pi fraternity in 2017.
California University of Pennsylvania reported five accusations of hazing over the past five years. After investigations, three were considered unfounded according to a report on the Cal U. website. The report can be found here: https://www.calu.edu/inside/faculty-staff/administrative-offices/office-of-social-equity/_files/hazing_report.pdf.
In an incident in 2015, Acacia fraternity members were accused of paddling fraternity members and members of four sororities. The Acacia members were found responsible and given written warnings and hazing prevention workshops, according to the report. Cal U. placed Acacia on probation and the Greek Life Office reviewed the fraternity’s new member process.
Also in 2015, Alpha Sigma Alpha was accused of encouraging underage and excessive drinking. They were found responsible and given written warnings as well as required to take an alcohol education program, according to the Cal U. report. The university also reviewed the fraternity’s new member process.
“Our position on hazing is consistent with the state prohibition on hazing,” said a statement on Cal U.’s website, along with the report. “This prohibits all forms of hazing by all members of fraternities and sororities.”
The statement indicates that any infraction of state, local or federal guidelines reported to the fraternity or sorority adviser or the Office of StudentAffairs will be dealt with accordingly.
“California University of Pennsylvania has recognized the dignity of every individual and has expressed strong opposition to all forms of associate member hazing,” the statement adds.
Washington & Jefferson College also released its report.
“Over the past five consecutive years, there have been no reported incidents or findings that resulting in violations of the institution’s anti-hazing policy, federal or state laws related to hazing at Washington & Jefferson College,” a report on W&J website states. A copy of the report can be read here: https://www.washjeff.edu/stuff/contentmgr/files/0/b413e782e2d291891908f4dc56746ff6/files/hazingincidentreportjanuary2019final.pdf
“Washington & Jefferson College has a zero-tolerance policy in regard to hazing incidents, as articulated in the studenthHandbook. It is the policy of Washington & Jefferson College that hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the college mission and are strictly prohibited at all times,” the report states.
Waynesburg University’s report also indicates that there have been no hazing incidents on its campus in the past years. The report is available at https://www.waynesburg.edu/security-policies-crime-statistics-and-crime-log.
The University of Pittsburgh also released its hazing report, which can be found here: https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/conduct/hazing-prevention/
Hazing at the University of Pittsburgh is considered a violation of the university’s anti-hazing policy and student code of conduct, and is absolutely prohibited, according to the Pitt website.
Twenty-two incidents of hazing have been reported since 2013, according to the report. Nine were unsubstantiated.
In four cases, Greek organizations were suspended from campus. In 2018, Alpha Kappa Alpha was suspended until May 2028. According to the report, fraternity remembers were accused of physical abuse, threats, restricting freedom, drinking alcohol underage and violating the university anti-hazing policy.
That same year, Sigma Chi was suspended until the fall of 2022 for underage drinking and violating the hazing policy, the report states.
In 2017, Sigma Gamma Rho was suspended until May 2021 and Delta Phi was suspended until the spring 2019 term for violating the policy, according to the report.
Several other organizations received social probation, which meant they could not host social activities where alcohol was present. Others received written warnings to stop behavior and a few had to write letters of apology.