A thorough investigation has cleared a West Virginia University fraternity of hazing allegations but revealed other violations resulting in separate sanctions.
Pi Kappa Phi fraternity has entered an agreed resolution with the University to end its interim suspension related to the hazing inquiry. However, the chapter will be placed on deferred suspension through February 2023 and lose some social privileges through June 2023.
“This is an example of the reporting and investigation process working the way it should. We want students to feel comfortable reporting concerns, and we will take each one seriously,” Jill Gibson, director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, said. “In this case, our inquiry found no evidence of hazing, but exposed recruitment and alcohol behaviors which violate our Student Conduct Code. We now have an opportunity to work with students to help them better understand the policies and why they’re important for the safety of our entire campus community.”
Pi Kappa Phi has agreed to participate in numerous education, trainings and related harm reduction programs.
The University worked in collaboration with the staff of the national fraternity on the sanctions. The local chapter president and advisor received letters sent from the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities notifying them of the details of the agreed resolution.
“We are committed to helping students engage in healthy ways with fraternities and sororities which contribute to our campus community in so many positive ways,” said Matthew Richardson, director of the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership.
Richardson, who also chairs the WVU Hazing Prevention Task Force, also emphasized the efforts underway to raise awareness about unhealthy and dangerous behaviors, and he encouraged students, faculty and staff to attend the inaugural Prevention Summit Friday (Sept. 30) which will close with a 2 p.m. screening of the Emmy-winning documentary "Breathe, Nolan, Breathe" in the Blue Ballroom of the Mountainlair, followed by a question and answer period with Kim and TJ Burch open to the WVU community.
Visit safety.wvu.edu and greeklife.wvu.edu for information and resources.
Review the current status of fraternity and
sorority chapters at WVU.
-WVU-
ak/9/30/22
MEDIA CONTACT: April Kaull
Executive Director of Communications
University Relations
304-293-3990; April.Kaull@mail.wvu.edu
Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and
information from WVUToday.
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.