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The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at UMass Amherst has been indicted for hazing and procuring alcohol for a minor. The charges stem from a 2017 incident where a student was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.
According to reports from CBS, The Hampshire Grand Jury has handed down four indictments to the Theta Mu chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, which is being charged as a corporate entity. The fraternity has been charged with two counts of procuring alcohol for a minor and two counts of hazing.
The fraternity house is located at 374 North Pleasant St. in Amherst, Massachusettes.
Each count of procuring alcohol for a minor is punishable by a fine up to $2,000, while each count of hazing is punishable by a fine up to $3,000.
At this time, an arraignment date in Hampshire Superior Court has not been scheduled.
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This is the latest major fraternity or sorority lawsuit, 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 Lambda 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, West Virginia University, and Penn State University have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
