A Clemson University fraternity was suspended for four years after violating the university’s code of conduct, a conduct report released earlier this month revealed.
A Clemson University investigation into the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity revealed hazing incidents that occurred on Feb. 4, 2021. The incidents involved acts of personal servitude by new members and included “line-ups, berating, morally degrading behavior,” according to the report made available through the South Carolina Tucker Hipps Transparency Act.
The investigation began on Feb. 14, 2021, and the fraternity was charged on April 15, 2021, according to the report. The incident was resolved Dec. 21. The conduct report was released Jan. 5.
The Zeta Alpha chapter of Pi Kappa Phi accepted responsibility for violating the university’s code of conduct, resulting in the four-year suspension beginning with the Fall 2021 semester and will be eligible to be recognized again in Fall 2025, the report said.
Gary Wiser, Clemson University head of fraternity and sorority life and Joe Galbraith, Clemson spokesperson were contacted Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning but were not available for comment.
The Clemson University Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the fraternity’s national organization were both contacted by The News regarding the investigation but did not receive an immediate response as of Wednesday morning.
Other Greek organizations suspended by the university and not permitted to recruit new members are:
- Sigma Phi Epsilon (IFC) — suspension expired December 2019. The national headquarters has not petitioned Clemson University or the Interfraternity Council about reinstatement.
- Sigma Pi (IFC) — suspension expired December 2020. The national headquarters has not petitioned Clemson University or the Interfraternity Council about reinstatement.
- Phi Kappa Tau (IFC) — suspended until August 2022.
- Delta Tau Delta (IFC) — suspended through the end of the summer 2024 semester.
- Pi Kappa Phi (IFC) — suspended through the end of the summer 2025 semester.
- Lambda Chi Alpha (IFC) — suspended indefinitely by Lambda Chi Alpha Headquarters. Fraternity and Sorority Life was notified on Oct. 6, 2017 that Lambda Chi Alpha’s national board had closed the chapter at Clemson University for “failure to meet written, expressed terms of the chapter’s at-risk status,” according to the university’s website. Lambda Chi Alpha expelled all undergraduate students who were initiated members and released the fall 2017 new members of their membership obligation, so they could join another fraternity. A date to return to Clemson University has not been set by Fraternity and Sorority Life and Lambda Chi Alpha Headquarters.
- Sigma Chi (IFC) – permanently dismissed
Organizations under suspension are not permitted to hold any organized activities, recruit new members or participate in official university activities as an organization. These organizations must petition Clemson University for re-recognition once their suspensions have expired in order to return as a recognized student organization.