UL fraternity suspended after hazing claim made
Marsha Sills
msills@theadvertiser.com
November 19, 2004
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LAFAYETTE — For the second time this year, a University of Louisiana fraternity has been suspended for allegations of hazing.
Phi Kappa Theta fraternity has been placed on immediate suspension while university officials conduct an investigation of an alleged hazing incident on Nov. 13, said Julie Simon-Dronet, university spokeswoman.
The university’s office of student affairs received the complaint Monday, she said.
While Simon-Dronet did not release the details of the allegations, she said it stemmed from a report that a student pledging the fraternity suffered an asthma attack during the early morning incident at the frat house. She said there was a small number of chapter members and “associate members” (pledges) involved in the incident.
In March, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity was booted from campus for two years for a hazing incident that occurred in the fall 2003 semester.
In the SAE incident, pledges were hosed down with water and deprived of sleep. The fraternity hoped to return to fraternity row this fall, but still is on probation.
The Phi Kappa Theta fraternity will “no longer function as a chapter until the investigation is complete,” Simon-Dronet said.
Pat Cottonham, assistant dean of students and director of Greek affairs, could not return phone calls for comment because she was interviewing students about the incident all day Thursday, Simon-Dronet said. Those members who live in the fraternity house may remain there pending the investigation, she said.
On Thursday afternoon, fraternity members milled about the house. A resident said they were asked not to comment until the investigation was complete.
The university has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing. Craig Melancon, the national fraternity’s executive vice president, was on campus investigating the allegations, as well, according to the national office.
Simon-Dronet said no other hazing incidents have been reported on campus this year.
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