Clemson frat suspended for 4 years after hazing probe

CLEMSON (AP) - After an investigation into hazing, a Clemson University fraternity has been suspended for four years for violating the university's code of conduct.

A probe into the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity revealed hazing incidents that occurred on Feb. 4, 2021, according to a conduct report released earlier this month. The incidents involved acts of personal servitude by new members and included "line-ups, berating, morally degrading behavior," said the report made available through the South Carolina Tucker Hipps Transparency Act, The Greenville News reported.

Philip Sikes, a Clemson spokesperson, said the organization was formally charged with hazing by the Office of Community and Ethical Standards in April 2021 and went through the full judicial process, including multiple appeals. The Code of Conduct violation finding was upheld in December, he said.

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, Sikes said.

"Clemson University takes all conduct matters very seriously and is committed to upholding the institution's core values of honesty, integrity and respect," he said in an email to the newspaper. "The University is committed to fair and judicious investigations. The health, safety and well-being of students is our highest priority as an institution and we continue to reinforce these priorities with our Greek community and the individuals and organizations who are expected to act responsibly."

Sikes also said anti-hazing education through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is "vital, with the goal of preventing hazing incidents altogether and helping students in fraternities and sororities commit to the well-being of each other."

The university's Pi Kappa Phi chapter and the fraternity's national organization were both contacted by The Greenville News regarding the investigation but did not immediately respond to requests for comment.