Cal Poly Pomona officials suspend fraternity following alleged hazing

Cal Poly Pomona has suspended a campus fraternity following alleged hazing incidents that may have involved the branding of some students. The action comes one year after another Cal Poly fraternity was expelled for similar practices.

Members of Cal Poly Pomona's Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity are on interim suspension, pending the outcome of an investigation. University officials say there were multiple incidents last year involving the blindfolding and branding of some members at fraternity ceremonies.

The university froze Pi Kappa Alpha’s financial accounts. The frat is also barred from using the campus for any activities or recruiting new members. More than 30 other Cal Poly fraternities were also put on temporary probation while the school conducts what it calls a “hazing audit.”

“These allegations are serious, and Judicial Affairs will conduct a thorough investigation to determine if hazing has occurred,” said Doug Freer, Cal Poly Pomona’s vice president for student affairs in a statement.

“Our university policy on hazing is clear: zero tolerance. When students choose to violate state laws and university policy on hazing, they will be held fully accountable.”

The alleged hazing occurred just months after another Cal Poly fraternity was suspended following an outdoor initiation ceremony where a student was burned.

According to its national website, Pi Kappa Alpha has chapters at over 200 universities with nearly a quarter of a million current and former members. The 143-year-old fraternity’s credo stresses a commitment to “integrity, intellect, and high moral character.”