University of Arkansas suspends Pi Kappa Alpha over paddling allegations
The University of Arkansas has kicked a fraternity out of its house and revoked its official registration for at least a year, according to a letter obtained by 40/29 News through a Freedom of Information Act.Rachel Eikenberry, director of the Office of Accountability, wrote the letter to the president of Pi Kappa Alpha at the university. It describes the allegation that led to discipline against the chapter.”Specifically, the Office of Student Accountability received a report from an anonymous source alleging that on April 06, 2023, your organization was alleged to have hosted an initiation ritual in the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity House wherein a video was taken depicting members hitting initiates with a wooden paddle while onlookers observed, yelled, and videoed the interaction,” Eikenberry wrote.Eikenberry included the portion of the Code of Student Life that bans hazing. The definition specifically included paddling and humiliation.Pi Kappa Alpha must pay a $1,500 fine, undergo an action plan, and get permission from the Dean of Students in order to apply for reinstatement a year from now.
The University of Arkansas has kicked a fraternity out of its house and revoked its official registration for at least a year, according to a letter obtained by 40/29 News through a Freedom of Information Act.
Rachel Eikenberry, director of the Office of Accountability, wrote the letter to the president of Pi Kappa Alpha at the university. It describes the allegation that led to discipline against the chapter.
“Specifically, the Office of Student Accountability received a report from an anonymous source alleging that on April 06, 2023, your organization was alleged to have hosted an initiation ritual in the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity House wherein a video was taken depicting members hitting initiates with a wooden paddle while onlookers observed, yelled, and videoed the interaction,” Eikenberry wrote.
Eikenberry included the portion of the Code of Student Life that bans hazing. The definition specifically included paddling and humiliation.
Pi Kappa Alpha must pay a $1,500 fine, undergo an action plan, and get permission from the Dean of Students in order to apply for reinstatement a year from now.
