Cal Poly Pomona has sanctioned a fraternity that was found to have engaged in hazing dating back to 2005. Pi Kappa Alpha has been suspended through at least the start of winter 2013.
“Its return to campus will be predicated on the behavior of those currently affiliated with the fraternity during the suspension,” says Doug Freer, vice president for student affairs, who approved the sanctions. The university’s Office of Judicial Affairs collaborated with Pi Kappa Alpha’s national headquarters in the hazing investigation.
If the fraternity is allowed to return to campus, it will be prohibited from recruiting new members through the start of winter 2015 and will be placed on probation for three years thereafter. In addition, the chapter will be required to work with its national headquarters and the university’s Office of Greek Life to ensure that it understands how to comply with policies and procedures.
The national headquarters has recommended that the chapter’s charter be revoked.
The fraternity was placed on interim suspension in October when allegations of hazing came to light. The 31 other Greek organizations on campus were then placed on temporary probation, pending the completion of a hazing audit by their national or regional leadership in partnership with the Office of Student Life & Cultural Centers. All but one of the organizations were fully reinstated after it was determined that their members had been educated about hazing and the university’s zero-tolerance policy. One of the smaller organizations asked to remain on probation and will work with the Greek Life advisor when they are ready to request reinstatement.
“Greek organizations at Cal Poly Pomona have a long record of community service, Bronco pride and campus leadership,” says Rebecca Gutierrez Keeton, the dean of students. “We have made it abundantly clear, however, that we will not tolerate hazing in any form. When it comes to our attention, we will investigate, and if we determine that hazing has occurred, we will act.”