More Chico: Phi Tau's making porn

[hoosier]

March 26, 2005 -

Fraternity suspended for participating in porn film


By MELISSA DAUGHERTY - Staff Writer


A local fraternity that's admitted to taking part in a hard-core pornographic film is on suspension pending an investigation by Chico State University officials.

Chico's Phi Kappa Tau house on West Fifth Street does appear to be the site of the taping of an adult film that's available for sale on the Internet, university officials said.

Rumors about the fraternity were circulating this week on the Chico State campus, but weren't confirmed until Friday, said Joe Wills, university director of public affairs.

"It's very disturbing and we're dismayed that a rumor like this is apparently true," said Wills, just hours after getting confirmation.

It's still not clear how many members took part in the film, but the actions do include sexual activity. Wills said the university knows who's selling the film, which comes in DVD form.

That company - Shane's World - hails from Van Nuys and is known for having college students in its videos.

According an article in Rolling Stone magazine, the company provides the women - porn stars - and heads to private residences of college students, many of whom are drunk when the cameras are rolling.

Chico State officials aren't certain, but suspect that alcohol was involved in the incident. Wills said the university is looking into whether any illegal activity took place during filming.

Rick Rees, associate director of student activities, said it appears the video was shot several months ago. Rees spoke with the Phi Kappa Tau's president, who apologized for its member's participation.

"They want to fully cooperate with the university and said it was a bad decision," Rees said.

This news follows two highly-publicized incidents within Chico's Greek system in the past two months.

In February, Chico State student Matthew Carrington died from an apparent hazing during an initiation into Chi Tau, a fraternity that lost its affiliation with the university several years ago. Weeks earlier, a Butte College student pledging the Sigma Chi fraternity nearly died from alcohol poisoning.

Rees said Phi Kappa Tau has not been a particularly problematic fraternity and that it ranks about average for the number of calls to the Chico Police Department - compared to other fraternities.

The fraternity is also suspended by Chico State's Interfraternity Council - the governing body for fraternities - and its national headquarters based in Ohio. Officials there are conducting their own investigation.

In a written statement, Steve Hartman, the national fraternity's chief executive officer, said Phi Kappa Tau is embarrassed by the Chico chapter's involvement in the video.

Nick Hollingsworth, Chico State Interfraternity Council president, said the incident reflects poorly on the Greek community and that he's glad the suspensions are unilateral.

The fraternity, he said, strayed far from its ideals and values by participating in the film.

"It's definitely not chivalrous," he said.