As the State College Police Department continues its criminal investigation of the death of Timothy Piazza at the Penn State chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, the university has revoked their recognition.
While the Police Department conducts their investigation, the Office of Student Conduct is conducting its own, focusing on the University’s Code of Student Conduct and behavioral expectations for the fraternities.
Via PSU.edu:
Based on information gained through its inquiry thus far, the University has decided to withdraw immediately recognition of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. This revocation will remain in effect no less than five years and may be made permanent upon completion of the criminal and University investigations now underway. The University’s decision to withdraw recognition is made in concert with the fraternity’s national headquarters.
“We cannot suitably convey the heartbreak we feel for the family and friends who are grieving the loss of Tim Piazza,” said Damon Sims, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs. “The information available to us about the actions that led to Tim’s death is deeply disturbing, and no sanction or restriction the University can levy is equal to the gravity of his death or the circumstances which we believe led to it.”
Loss of recognition means that the Beta Theta Pi chapter and its members are no longer part of the Greek community at Penn State and have been stripped of any and all privileges that come with fraternal recognition.
However, the Beta house is private property and the chapter is a private association.
