Headquarters suspends Pike fraternity
Pi Kappa Alpha international headquarters has placed a 30-day suspension on the USU Gamma Epsilon chapter of its fraternity, following a university suspension, so it can investigate claims that underage drinking led to a near-fatal incident involving an 17-year-old girl.
“Our primary concern is the health and well being of the young woman who was involved in this unfortunate incident,” a statement from the Pi Kappa Alpha headquarter reported. “We are thankful that she received the necessary treatment and has subsequently been released from the hospital.”
According to statement, the fraternity headquarters has contacted USU officials, chapter leaders and local law enforcement as part of its investigation.
“In the interim, the Gamma Epsilon chapter has been placed on administrative suspension by the international fraternity, pending the outcome of its fact gathering procedure,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the university is not rushing judgement on the fraternity, said James Morales, the vice president for Student Services.
“We’re proceeding in a very fair fashion. We’re not rushing to judgement. We’re making sure that we get all the information that we need so that this is an equitable process,” Morales said.
Morales said the Greek Council and the Logan Police are both still investigating the situation.
Though members of USU’s Greek Council declined to comment last week, David Peterson, men’s president for the Greek Council, said the council is not ignoring the situation. He said for most fraternities, administrative suspension means the fraternity cannot function as a chapter or hold activities.
Peterson said Ryan Barfuss, the prevention specialist for the Student Wellness Center, will give presentations about alcohol awareness in the near future, at each of the fraternities and sororities associated with USU.
“(Fraternities and sororities) shouldn’t be a place where you would go and be in danger,” Peterson said.
– chris.w.lee@aggiemail.usu.edu