An alleged hazing incident at the University of Houston (UH) is being described as "a criminal act" and has lead to a fraternity and five student's suspension.
According to the Associated Press, both UH and the Sigma Chi national office have addressed the matter. Additionally, the university reportedly turned over its findings to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
UH President Renu Khator said in a statement Tuesday the school's Epsilon Xi chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity would be suspended along with five students alleged to be responsible for the acts of hazing. Pending the investigation, the students face a punishment as severe as expulsion.
"I am shocked, dismayed and deeply disappointed that allegations of this nature have arisen on our campus," Khator said. "In addition to suspending the fraternity, the University is placing the five students accused of these acts on immediate suspension. Pending further investigation and due process, if the allegations prove to be true, those responsible will be subject to immediate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion."
Included in his statement was a reminder to the student body they could anonymously report incidents of hazing through MySafeCampus.com.
The Sigma Chi national office said in a statement they became aware of the allegations on Jan. 20 and then learned of a police investigation a month later. The fraternity said they stepped back to allow the UH Police's probe to run its course.
"Hazing, in all of its ugly forms, will be eliminated from Sigma Chi," Michael Greenberg, the fraternity's international president, said in the statement. "The bedrock of our Fraternity is to be men of character and leaders within our communities. Hazing is so far removed from the principles we believe in that we cannot, and will not, allow it to continue. Those who engage in this vile tactic will be held accountable."
