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Northwest Missouri State University has announced the suspension of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity chapter. The fraternity will be suspended for a period of two years due to violations of the University’s policies against hazing and alcohol. The fraternity also reportedly had various other risk management violations.
According to the Nodaway News Leader, the suspension — which is effective immediately — cause the chapter loses its recognition as a registered student organization and all the privileges that are associated with being officially recognized.
The university says that the Phi Sigma Kappa chapter may begin work with Northwest’s Greek Life office towards recolonization in fall 2019, but will remain on probation for an additional two years.
via Nodaway News Leader:
“We value the long history of Phi Sigma Kappa, and we look forward to working with the leaders and alumni to improve the culture of the chapter for the future,” Dr. Matt Baker, Northwest’s vice president of students affairs, said.
Decisions related to the future of the fraternity house at 940 College Avenue, which is not University-owned property, will be made by the fraternity’s national office and its local housing authority.
Northwest’s decision to suspend the chapter concludes a five-month investigation and appeal process that began when the University was notified in February of potential violations.
This is the latest major fraternity or sorority investigation, suspension or closure in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State and Penn State have all suspended fraternities in the wake of hazing and alcohol deaths.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who was shut down for hazing and the Lamda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas which has been accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of women without their permission.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
