Alpha Phi Alpha chapter suspended for hazing

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Alpha Phi Alpha chapter suspended for hazing

Bronwen Reichle
Staff Writer
June 05, 2003

The North Texas chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was suspended May 9 following investigation of hazing charges.

Richard Rafes, NT vice chancellor and general council for legal affairs, said students participating in the fraternity's pledging activities during the spring semester were subjected to physical abuse.

"Fraternity members engaged in acts of hazing that included sleep depravation, use of a black light, slapping of pledges on the chest and thighs and requiring calisthenics," Rafes said.

The NT Division of Student Development and the fraternity's national headquarters began investigations after a pledge cited sleep depravation as the cause of an automobile accident.

Investigators found that Alpha Phi Alpha had violated the hazing section of the NT Policy Manual, which prohibits any action "directed against a student that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership in an organization."

Alpha Phi Alpha is suspended until February 13, 2004, at which point the fraternity may apply to the university for reinstatement.

Under the suspension, the fraternity must cease all activities and each member must complete at least 50 hours of community service.

To prevent further hazing incidents NT has organized an Anti-Hazing Coalition.

"The Anti-Hazing Coalition is a proactive group educating greeks about hazing," Elizabeth With, associate vice president of student development, said.

In addition to its involvement in the coalition, student development requires each student organization to read and sign a statement explaining NT's anti-hazing policy.

No criminal charges have been filed against the fraternity.