After documenting a pattern of questionable behavior within the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, commonly known as Pike, the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life placed the group on probation as the organization itself removed three quarters of its members over winter break.
“For the past five to 10 years, there has been a culture in that fraternity that has persisted that has dealt with hazing allegations, fighting amongst brothers and overall damage to the house,” Interfraternity Council President Brian Toll said.
There was no specific event that triggered the university’s decision, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Matt Supple said, adding PKA’s status change was a result of the group’s “failure to comply with university expectations” over several semesters.
“We believed it was necessary to intervene,” Supple said.
The fraternity is allowed to participate in spring rush events to rebuild their brotherhood. Supple said DFSL never penalizes fraternities or sororities by barring them from recruitment, though the fraternity is not allowed to serve alcohol at rush events this semester. PKA chapter President Sameul Kleiman said the fraternity is looking to recruit as many new members as possible, adding he hopes the incoming members will possess stronger moral fiber than in previous years.
“I think the future of their brotherhood is entirely in their hands,” Toll said, adding the remaining members are committed to restoring PKA’s good standing.
DFSL could not release the conditions of PKA’s probation but there are certain requirements the chapter must meet to remain a recognized fraternity on campus, Supple said. The fraternity will be on probation through next year’s spring semester.
In addition to their probation, PKA reevaluated its brotherhood and cut their membership from more than 80 active undergraduates to around 20. The 60 members who were removed now carry alumni status.
“They went through a full member review … and then identified a group of people who were no longer going to be active undergraduate members, so there are a reduced group of members who are active now in the chapter,” Supple said.
Kleiman said the fraternity plans to go beyond the minimum university requirements by making each community service and philanthropy event as successful as possible, beginning with Pike Push-ups in March — an event in which brothers will raise a dollar per push-up for the chapter’s preferred charity, Soldiers’ Angels.
“We’ll just get stronger because we’re going through a difficult situation,” Kleiman said.
For several semesters, Greek life officials have been monitoring PKA to see whether the group was meeting university standards, Supple said. By working with the fraternity’s alumni, the university identified a dangerous culture of behavior in the chapter, which Supple said he believes can change. He added had the problems appeared irreparable, the university would have axed the fraternity altogether rather than giving them a chance to reform.
“We think that they can turn it around and return to being contributing members of the community,” Supple said.
Toll said the 60 or so members that were removed are not representative of the 20 remaining members, adding he encouraged people to contact the Interfraternity Council with questions about PKA’s situation instead.
The fraternity’s national office could not be reached for comment.
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