3 USC fraternities in hot water after misconduct allegations

Three University of South Carolina fraternities are in hot water after recent allegations of misconduct.

A USC spokesman says the recent behavior problems will affect school officials’ talks with fraternity leaders about changing the nature of fraternity rush and pledging.

The state’s flagship university Friday suspended Pi Kappa Phi after an “allegation of chapter misconduct involving members of the organization,” USC spokesman Wes Hickman said.

USC’s Kappa Alpha and Chi Psi chapters were cited for alcohol violations during fraternity rush last month and put on probation, according to the university’s Greek life conduct page.

The problems come as USC fraternities tread thin ice with school leaders, who say Greek behavior has led them to discuss fundamentally changing fraternity life at the downtown Columbia campus.

USC officials publicly have floated changing fraternity recruitment as well as ending pledging, the months-long, sometimes abusive induction period for new members.

USC president Harris Pastides said last month the school would keep a wary eye on fraternity rush, which ended Sept. 4. More bad behavior this fall could ramp up talk of change, he said.

“There is no doubt that incidents like these impact our discussions with students, alumni and national offices about those long-term issues of recruitment and pledging,” USC spokesman Hickman said Friday in an emailed statement. “In the meantime, we will continue our aggressive, multifaceted approach to curbing negative behaviors by investigating incidents as they occur and taking disciplinary action against chapters and individuals when necessary.”

Pi Kappa Phi is suspended from conducting chapter events or activities, Hickman said. He offered no more details about the allegation but said USC is reviewing the matter.

Kappa Alpha and Chi Psi were placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2016, and fined.

Both chapters were charged with alcohol violations that allegedly occurred Aug. 22, near the start of fraternity rush.

▪ An incident description of the Kappa Alpha charge on USC’s website says “information was provided connected to a medical transport (to a hospital) and an off campus party.” A spokesman for Kappa Alpha’s national office said the fraternity worked with USC on the investigation and agreed to the sanctions.

▪ An incident report concerning Chi Psi said law enforcement responded to an event “involving a crowd and an alleged party” at the chapter’s house in USC’s Greek Village. “Upon further investigation various forms of alcohol were found in common spaces of the facility.”

None of the three chapters’ Columbia presidents returned emails requesting comment Friday. The national chapters for Pi Kappa Phi and Chi Psi also did not respond.

Pi Kappa Phi is the fourth fraternity currently suspended at USC. Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Chi and Alpha Tau Omega also remain suspended, according to USC’s conduct page.

Kappa Alpha and Chi Psi join Alpha Epsilon Pi and Phi Kappa Sigma on USC’s list of fraternities on probation.

This story was originally published September 9, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "3 USC fraternities in hot water after misconduct allegations."