UA Has Closed ‘Pi Kappa Phi’ Chapter Following Repeated Misconduct
ByThe local chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at University of Arizona (UA) has finally been closed after receiving 14 warnings and at least three fines since 2010.
The fraternity has been punished for hazing new fraternity members (deprived them of proper food and sleep), serving alcohol to underage persons at their parties (18 cases reported)and excessive alcohol consumption that resulted in hospitalisation.
The fraternity was repeatedly warned and the members were also asked to attend alcohol education sessions and do community service for hundreds of hours.
However, the problems still persisted, forcing the university officials to close the 'Pi Kappa Phi' chapter.
The fraternity will remain closed until the chapter can once again seek approval from the university officials in 2016.
"The national organization expects our students to uphold and abide by the fraternity's risk management policy and standards of conduct," said Mark E. Timmes, CEO of Pi Kappa Phi headquarters in Charlotte, N.C."When chapters are unable to conform to those expectations, the national fraternity has to make the difficult choice to close."
This is the fourth time in 15 months the university has shut down its fraternity houses for violating codes of conduct.
Last September, the UA chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon was shut down following several hazing accusations; during January 2012, the local chapter of Phi Kappa Psi was closed after receiving complaints of hazing and underage drinking and Delta Chi's local chapter was derecognised by the University for repeated violations, posing a threat to the health and safety of its members.
As a result of numerous alcohol and hazing incidents among its fraternity houses, the university officials are educating incoming fraternity members and their families about alcohol abuse and hazing.