Massachusetts Daily Collegian

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A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Fraternity indicted by Hampshire Grand Jury

The incidents in connection with the indictment occurred in the fall of 2017
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(Collegian file photo)

A Hampshire Grand Jury has indicted the University of Massachusetts Theta Mu chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha for two counts of hazing and two counts of supplying alcohol to a minor.

The charges are in connection with incidents that occurred in the fall of 2017 resulting in a student being hospitalized with alcohol poisoning, according to Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Spokeswoman Mary Carey.

According to Ed Blaguszewski, the executive director of strategic communications at the University, all Pi Kappa Alpha activities are now suspended, continuing an interim suspension of the fraternity put in place last fall.

“As part of the student conduct process one sanction that will be seriously evaluated is dissolving the university’s recognition of the chapter,” Blaguszewski said in a statement. “In partnership with the national organization, this would equate to revocation of the chapter’s charter, which would permanently strip the local chapter of official recognition.”

The indictments charging procuring alcohol for a minor allege that the fraternity supplied alcohol to a person under the age of 21. Each charge is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, according to Carey.

The indictments of hazing allege the fraternity “engage[d] in conduct or a method of initiation into a student organization which did willfully or recklessly endanger the physical or mental health of any student or other person,” Carey said in a statement. These charges are punishable by fines of up to $3,000.

An arraignment date has not yet been set for Hampshire Superior Court.

Hayley Johnson can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @hayleyk_johnson.

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  • E

    Ed CuttingSep 24, 2018 at 1:41 am

    It’s about time!!!
    .
    I told Greek Affairs about things along this line way back in 2009 and was essentially told that Student Affairs was already aware of it and didn’t have any intention of doing anything about it.

    Reply
  • U

    Umass Student BodySep 23, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    finally lol

    Reply
  • T

    Tim CSep 23, 2018 at 5:47 am

    Another extremely sad story, another slap on the wrist. No amount of whining and defending with statements such as “But you just don’t understand. Not all fraternities are like this” will ever change my mind. I see no purpose in “communities” that allow for the perpetuation of disgusting behavior and it blows my mind that this can happen again and again and again and again and again and yet nothing ever changes.

    Reply
  • B

    Brad EvelandSep 21, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    The national fraternity,Pi Kappa Alpha,
    Has strict anti-hazing rules and guidlines, which is why the Theta-Mu Chapter of Pike was founded in 1976 !
    Our fiunding leaders were ardently opposed to hazing new members as a perverse right of passage into our brotherhood. I am very disappointed
    to see these allegations and only hope that they are false. Brad Eveland

    Reply