UCA fraternity suspended for three years

There were tough penalties for a University of Central Arkansas fraternity found guilty of even tougher initiation practices. UCA officials confirmed the Alpha Phi Alpha chapter violated university guidelines and guidelines set by it’s national organization.

On UCA’s campus one thing the Alpha's are known for is the huge End of the World step show which came to a halt this year amid allegations of hazing. Now we know those allegations have turned into confirmed violations and students are stunned. 

"That was one of the groups that was known for not hazing," said UCA student Keiara Pickett.

The university's judicial board and the national organization for Alpha Phi Alpha both found the Theta Psi chapter guilty of hazing.

"It's kind of rough what they did to their pledges," said student Braxton Yeager.

The violations consist of hitting and paddling. Of six pledges, four confirmed to police that it happened.

Braxton Yeager is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and is disappointed by the news. "I was a pledge this semester and I wouldn't want anyone hitting me."

The Alpha's national leaders are suspending the chapter for three years.

"That's pretty rough but I guess they took that consequence when they hit the guys. Hazing doesn't do anything good.  It doesn't build brotherhood and only tears you apart," said Yeager.

Now students who are used to seeing the organization on campus will get used to its absence. "Its more sororities and Greeks that do haze that haven't been caught yet so I think it’s a sign that if you do it, you're going to get caught eventually,” Pickett said. 

A campus police investigator says this is the first time the department has investigated hazing on a criminal level in at least 12 years. No criminal charges have been filed yet but the investigation continues. A member of the chapter says his brothers aren't commenting.

Alpha Phi Alpha Greek Judicial Board decision

The University of Central Arkansas Greek Judicial Board conducted a university disciplinary hearing on April 21, 2009 in which the Theta Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity was charged with hazing. Prior to the hearing, the National Organization for Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity conducted its own investigation into the hazing allegations. They determined that the Theta Psi Chapter violated the standing orders of Alpha Phi Alpha and took the following actions:

● The Theta Psi chapter is suspended from having an active UCA
chapter for 3 years.
● Its chapter members are suspended (from the fraternity).
● The advisors have been removed from their roles.
● The chapter will have to undergo a workshop once a semester
discussing hazing.
● Upon reestablishment of the chapter, they will also host a
program on hazing once a semester.

The UCA Greek Judicial Board found the Theta Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in violation of hazing. The Greek board accepted the three year suspension and other sanctions from the National Organization, and added the following conditions upon reestablishment of the chapter:

● The fraternity will be on probation for one academic year.
During this probationary period the chapter must attend all training programs sponsored by the Office of Greek Life, or face returning to the Greek Judicial Board.
● All students and advisors found to be responsible in the hazing
allegations will not be permitted to serve in an advisory capacity at UCA.

The Theta Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity chose to appeal the last two sanctions. The University Discipline Committee reviewed the appeal and voted to uphold the original decision of the Greek Judicial Board. Mr. Ronnie Williams, UCA vice president for student services, accepted the decisions of the UCA Greek Judicial Board and University Discipline Committee.