RADFORD (WSLS 10) - The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at Radford University has been suspended.
The national headquarters of Pi Kappa Phi informed the university on April 11 that it had imposed an interim suspension on the Delta Phi Chapter for up to 60 days for investigative purposes, according to Radford University Vice President for University Relations Joe Carpenter.
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On that same day, there was a complaint filed with the Office of the Dean of Students alleging potential misconduct by university students affiliated with the fraternity. Carpenter said that allegation is now under active investigation by the Office of Student Standards and Conduct.
All Carpenter would say about the investigation is that there is an allegation involving one victim and that injuries to a student have been reported. Furthermore, that student has subsequently sought medical treatment.
He said the university takes this allegation seriously and has immediately commenced its own investigation to look into the facts and to determine if other incidents may have occurred and if there are any other possible victims.
According to the terms of the national headquarters' suspension, "…the chapter is prohibited from hosting, sponsoring, organizing, planning or endorsing any fraternal functions, including but not limited to: meetings, rituals, social events (with and without alcohol), intramurals, recruitment activities, philanthropy events, brotherhood and associate member activities, initiation, and any other activity a reasonable, objective observer would associate with the Fraternity." "Additionally, initiated members of the chapter are prohibited from having any contact with the associate members. This includes, but is not limited to, all written, verbal, and electronic communication (i.e. text messages, e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)"
Radford University does not host, own or sponsor fraternity or sorority housing, either on or off campus. As a result, student housing is either through on-campus residence halls (which are not grouped by fraternal organizations) or privately obtained off campus housing.
While the Radford University Office of Student Standards and Conduct and the national headquarters of Pi Kappa Phi are conducting investigations, the Radford Police Department has been notified as the activity is alleged to have happened off-campus.
The national Pi Kappa Phi organization released this statement:
The National Fraternity learned late Monday of allegations of hazing at our Delta Phi Chapter at Radford University. The chapter has been placed on interim suspension while we investigate.
"Our primary concern is the safety, well-being, dignity and respect of all members," said Pi Kappa Phi Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Timmes. "Hazing has no place in Pi Kappa Phi," added Timmes.
Should the chapter or any individual members be found in violation of Pi Kappa Phi's standards of conduct, they will be held accountable through the national fraternity's conduct process.