The University of Arkansas has sanctioned the Pi Kappa Alpha, “Pike,” fraternity after an investigation into hazing allegations determined the fraternity’s Alpha Zeta chapter violated the university’s code of student life.
Rachel Eikenberry, director for the Office of Student Standards and Conduct, informed the fraternity’s chapter president in a letter that the organization was charged with and found responsible for violating code of student life section D22 for hazing and D6 for endangerment.
The Office of Student Accountability conducted the investigation after a student shared a video of a Pike initiation ritual to social media in early November, depicting a student in the fraternity house repeatedly striking another student with a large paddle.
In the letter, the university detailed a list of sanctions applied to the fraternity, including the immediate revocation of their status as a registered student organization (RSO), the removal from the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house on Arkansas Avenue and a $1,500 conduct assessment fee.
Effective Dec. 15, the fraternity will be removed from its residence at 320 Arkansas Ave. until the end of the spring semester in 2025. Pi Kappa Alpha will be able to return to their fraternity house during the Fall 2025 semester, nearly a year-and-a-half period, if they meet all conditions for reinstatement.
According to the letter, the revocation of the fraternity’s status as an RSO will stand for one year and prevent them from conducting activities on campus.
“During the period of revocation, the organization may not formally or informally gather past and/or current members on campus, register as an RSO, utilize any University-owned property, or recruit new members without express written permission from the Dean of Students,” according to the letter.
If the fraternity is able to secure its reinstatement after the revocation period, they will be placed on conduct probation for the following year.
