Penn State fraternity suspended over alleged hazing

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has suspended the Delta Theta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity through fall 2027 over an alleged hazing incident.

The specific details of the incident were not released by the university.

On April 21, the fraternity chapter was placed on an interim suspension while the investigations were being investigated by the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.

In September, the office decided that the chapter was in violation, a decision that was upheld following an appeal. The official suspension was announced on Tuesday.

The school did not indicate whether criminal charges would be filed in connection with the incident.

Hazing, which is defined as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, violates both Pennsylvania law and university policies.

Interim vice president for student affairs, Andrea Dowhower, made it clear that the university takes all allegations of hazing seriously.

“It is disappointing and concerning when, despite the legal obligations and educational efforts, groups violate our expectations,” Dowhower said.

Penn State vowed to crack down on hazing following the death of Timothy Piazza, 19, in February 2017. Piazza’s death during a fraternity pledging event garnered national attention.

The suspension of Kappa Alpha Psi indicates that the chapter has lost all recognition as a student organization and can’t function as a sanctioned organization at Penn State.

Isabelle Charboneau is a third-year majoring in digital/print journalism. To contact her, email ijc5186@psu.edu.