Pi Kappa Phi chapter at NC State suspended after "embarrassing, scary" book found

[MysticCat]

It just doesn't seem to stop.

WRAL news: NC State fraternity placed on interim suspension after 'embarrassing, scary' book found

From the story:

Pi Kappa Phi has placed its North Carolina State University chapter on interim suspension pending the outcome of an investigation into the contents of a book that was found at a restaurant near campus, the fraternity announced Friday morning.

The little, green book, filled with handwritten comments, included racially and sexually charged language and derogatory comments about women and children. . . .

The comments were signed in places, and the names match up to those listed as brothers on the Pi Kappa Phi website.

"This is just a group of 60-something young men at State making jokes about raping people, raping children, raping dead women, making very overt racist comments." . . .

Excerpts from the book are disturbing.

"It will be short and painful, just like when I rape you," one page reads.

"If she's hot enough, she doesn't need a pulse," says another.

"That tree is so perfect for lynching," reads another.

"Be kind to the whales because they'll lead you to the dolphins," says a fourth.

NC State is also investigating.

[AZTheta]

I would say we've definitely hit the tipping point.

[Kevin]

What tipping point?

[AZTheta]

Google it, Kevin.

[Kevin]

The national org can do what it wants. The school shouldn't get involved here.

[MysticCat]

This afternoon's story from the Raleigh News & Observer includes this:

The fraternity chapter is the second at N.C. State to be suspended this week. The university’s Alpha Tau Omega chapter was suspended after police found drug paraphernalia, white powder and an orange liquid during a search.

Police searched the home on Varsity Drive after a woman said she was sexually assaulted there.

Several other N.C. State fraternities are currently suspended.

Phi Gamma Delta is on probation and subject to alcohol restrictions, and Phi Beta Sigma is suspended until 2018 for a hazing incident in 2014. Theta Chi is also suspended pending the investigation into a 2014 allegation of sexual assault at the fraternity’s house off Hillsborough Street.

The NC State chapter of Delta Sigma Phi was also suspended due to allegations of sexual assault at the house, but that suspension was lifted a few weeks ago when the allegations could not be substantiated.

[1964Alum]

Originally Posted by AZTheta

I would say we've definitely hit the tipping point.

Indeed. The cry for abolishing fraternities grows only louder.

I am thoroughly disgusted.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by 1964Alum

Indeed. The cry for abolishing fraternities grows only louder.

I am thoroughly disgusted.

It shouldn't grow at all because it will require a Constitutional Amendment to accomplish.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by 1964Alum

Indeed. The cry for abolishing fraternities grows only louder.

And it seems like too many chapters are intent on providing all the ammunition for those taking up the cry.

[1964Alum]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

And it seems like too many chapters are intent on providing all the ammunition for those taking up the cry.

Not to mention all the parents who do not want their sons to be any part of what has been going on.

[SOM]

NC State Frat's Pledge Book Joked 'That Tree Is So Perfect For Lynching'- RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Two fraternities at North Carolina State University have been suspended - one for what appeared to be an offensive pledge book, the other for drug and sexual assault allegations - two of the latest chapters reprimanded in a wave of unseemly fraternity behavior across the country. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/0...ushpmg00000052

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

It shouldn't grow at all because it will require a Constitutional Amendment to accomplish.

The First Amendment means that public colleges cannot bar students from joining fraternities or take disciplinary action against them for doing so. Private schools, of course, are under no such constraints.

But the First Amendment does not require public colleges to have Greek life or to recognize fraternities as student organizations.

So no, no one can "abolish" fraternities. But schools, both public and private, can certainly make it very difficult for fraternities to survive, at least as we presently know them. And as 1964alum said, loss of parental support—or possibly even alumni support—can also make survival difficult.

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by 1964Alum

Not to mention all the parents who do not want their sons to be any part of what has been going on.

I've seen this happen repeatedly the past ten years; my Greek friends are actively discouraging their sons (and, in some cases, their daughters) from joining fraternities. What I hear over and over is "it's not like it was when we were in school" along with examples of how it's not like it was 20, 30 or 40 years ago.

And it is becoming increasingly difficult to enlist alums to support the chapters. That's my actual experience, not an opinion. It's not just my chapter, either. It's across the board.

[Kevin]

Public colleges are where the vast majority of most of our chapters exist. That may not be true for all of us, but certainly most. And at most of those schools, the Greek Life system is an asset to its campus. We are here to stay and our rights of free association aren't going anywhere. Yeah, we might see a smattering of angsty editorials from journalism students in campus newspapers, Alexandra Robbins might book a few more gigs, but really, we are not going away no matter how many of these incidents occur.

That doesn't mean that we shouldn't do what we can to do better and from Pi Kappa Phi's actions, how could anyone conclude they have any other intent other than to try to do the right thing?

For public schools, to derecognize Greek Life would be an unmitigated disaster. Alumni donations would come to a screeching halt and these organizations on or around campus holding parties for thousands of students at a time with zero opportunity for organizational cooperation with Title IX examiners, zero control over sanctioning groups for bad conduct, etc.? This wouldn't work.

Pi Kappa Phi is investigating this. They'll do what they think is the right thing after they have assembled all of the facts. That the entire American fraternal system should be disbanded because two chapters apparently have a bunch of racist asshats in them? I don't think so.

[Sciencewoman]

A chapter sister's son is the president of ATO at NC State. She was very proud when he was elected. They only live about 10 minutes away and she helps out quite a bit. I'm really sorry to hear about this...I hope that in that case, the drug paraphernalia belonged to an isolated member.