HOUSTON – The University of Houston said its Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi has been closed after the fraternity’s national office found evidence of hazing and violations of the organization’s risk-management policies.
In a statement the university provided Monday, school officials said the national headquarters of Pi Kappa Phi informed UH that the chapter had been closed following an investigation. The chapter’s membership voted Nov. 14 to surrender its charter to the national organization, the statement said.
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“The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards,” the university said. “While only a small group of students are alleged to be involved, the University does not tolerate hazing in any form.” The statement commended Pi Kappa Phi’s national leadership for investigating the allegations, notifying the university and taking “decisive action leading to closure of the chapter.”
The university said it was conducting its own investigations in coordination with law enforcement and with the cooperation of the fraternity and its national leadership. UH is pursuing Student Code of Conduct investigations into the organization and the individuals involved, and the University of Houston Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation, the statement said.
The reported conduct includes physical abuse, forced consumption and public humiliation, according to the background information provided by UH. A non-university student was hospitalized Nov. 3 following alleged hazing activities and has since been released, the statement said.
Pi Kappa Phi’s national office placed the chapter on interim suspension Nov. 6, and UH said it was notified of the incident by the national organization that same day and began its own investigation immediately.
The university warned that anyone found responsible for hazing could face disciplinary action up to expulsion and potential criminal charges. UH also said it was connecting with students affected by the incidents to ensure access to counseling, academic assistance and housing resources.
To protect the integrity of ongoing investigations and to comply with student-privacy laws, the university said it would not comment further at this time. The statement noted that fraternities operate under charters issued by their national headquarters and only the national organization can revoke a chapter’s charter.