Not good news in Chico; fraternity hazing alleged

[Beachbrat]

Last night, one of local news channels carried a report on Beta Theta Pi had been suspended from campus, Chico State (Cal State at Chico) can seek to return in 2010.
The local newspaper, the Chico Enterprise Record, carried a story on this in its yesterday edition. I'd hoped to post a link to the story, but I just got a new laptop and it and I are having major issues, it is winning. (I tried, Kevin.)
To find the story, go to the front page, click archives (as it was yesterday's paper), then type in the fraternity name, and pop, there is the article.
This was reported to be a non-injury incident, but allegedly stemmed from pledging/hazing. This action was taken by the school last week, but school is out, so news travels slowly.

A search of Beta Theta Pi hazing and Chico State easily came up on a Google News search.

Source

Investigation leads to frat losing charter
By KAREN McINTYRE - Staff Intern
Article Launched: 06/15/2007 12:32:21 AM PDT

After six weeks of investigating alleged hazing within Beta Theta Pi, Chico State University severed all ties with the nationally recognized fraternity last week.

Complaints to the University Police Department sparked an ongoing investigation that led to the discovery of possible hazing during the spring semester's pledging activities. The Student Activities Office moved "swiftly and sternly" to revoke the charter of Beta Theta Pi, associate director Rick Rees said.


Beta Theta Pi is among the largest fraternities, with about 125 chapters throughout the Unites States and Canada.


The local chapter, which has been in Chico for 20 years, no longer exists at Chico State University.


University Police conducted several extensive interviews with members of Beta Theta Pi, Rees said.


"We are very, very convinced that these guys stepped over the line," he said.


There was not one incident, but weeks of suspicious activities during the semester. But no injuries have been reported and no one has stepped forward as a victim, Rees said.

Okay, so just what did they do to step over the line? They say that this was not because of one particular incident, but suspicious activities? What kind of suspicious activities?

[Beachbrat]

I agree the article is vague. If I were writing it, I would have tried to get more facts, but that doesn't mean anyone will provide answers.
And if I could have easily posted it, I would have. So thanks for the assist.

[Football Fan]

Cal Girl,
What makes this even more serious is the new California law which makes conviction of hazing a felony.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Football Fan

Cal Girl,
What makes this even more serious is the new California law which makes conviction of hazing a felony.

This is at the tail end of the story:


"BACKGROUND: Hazing in fraternities and sororities at Chico State University has long been a problem and has taken the lives of some students.
WHAT'S NEW: The local chapter of Beta Theta Pi is no longer recognized by the university after an ongoing investigation found evidence that the fraternity engaged in hazing activities during its spring semester pledging activities. WHAT'S NEXT: The investigation is continuing. Beta Theta Pi can appeal the decision if it chooses. The university will accept proposals from the national organization to re-form the group starting the spring semester of 2010. "

[Tom Earp]

As we all know, the States and Colleges are getting fed up with the Antics of Greeks and in many cases justly so which is sad for us! There are to many cases where harm or death has come into play. It matters not who the GLO is, but that they have Greek Letters and reflects so badly upon all of us.

I am sure Beta Theta Pi will investigate this and make a decission about the future of the Chapter.

[adpiucf]

There is a rampant hazing culture at Chico... I don't think this will change until they eliminate the problem chapters.

This is just my opinion. I'm very glad the schools and local/state goverments are cracking down. These chapters (not just Chico) set a horrible example that leads to those "media stereotypes".... which leads to freshmen pledging and begging to be hazed because they figure it is part of the Greek experience. I don't want any part of that.