As October progresses, some in the UVA administration would perhaps say that the scariest thing looming is not Halloween, but the fast-approaching fraternity and sorority rush season in January. With about a third of the student body expected to participate, the anticipation is palpable on Grounds, especially heightened by the aftermath of several hazing scandals that rocked the UVA community.
What began with the hospitalization of a pledge has, in the span of just three months, led to the suspension of two fraternities and the termination of three others. With so much uncertainty in the air as to the future of Greek life at UVA, let us review what happened.
Kappa Sigma
On February 21th, a hazing report was filed after a pledge sustained a head injury from falling down a flight of stairs while intoxicated, leaving him in a coma for an extended period of time. The subsequent investigation revealed more extreme practices. Pledges were reportedly forced to strip to their underwear, wear blindfolds, and sit in tight spaces while enduring loud noises, shouting, and ridicule. They faced quizzes about fraternity members with the threat of coerced exercise for wrong answers, ran errands for brothers, and suffered physical abuse, including having hot sauce applied to their bodies, including their genitals. Many pledges suffered physical injuries, and one was hospitalized. Pledges were also required to carry a “Pledge Pack,” a fanny pack filled with various items such as snacks, gum, cigarettes, and nicotine patches. After a seven-month investigation, UVA terminated Kappa Sigma’s Fraternal Organization Agreement (“FOA”) on September 20th, effectively disbanding the chapter for the foreseeable future.
Theta Chi
For nearly two years, there had been no major hazing incidents leading to the termination of a fraternity’s FOA, leaving many to wonder if hazing had truly decreased at UVA or if pledges were simply too scared to report it. However, after the Kappa Sigma case, it became clear that hazing was still rampant, and the next fraternity to face the consequences was Theta Chi. On March 22nd, Theta Chi was reported for hazing activities similar to those at Kappa Sigma. Pledges were quizzed, subjected to coerced physical activities, and forced to consume both food and non-food items to the point of vomiting. They were confined, ridiculed, and required to wear costumes that mocked their roles. Errand running and house cleaning were also expected. Additionally, UVA found evidence that both active and new members repeatedly misled university officials during the investigation. Despite concerns over the investigation’s handling, including unprofessional behavior by a now-fired PACE officer, Theta Chi’s FOA was terminated in just two months.
Sigma Alpha Mu (“Sammy”)
Just two days after the Theta Chi report, Sigma Alpha Mu, or “Sammy,” was reported for similar hazing practices. The allegations included quizzes, forced consumption of items leading to vomiting, and physical punishments. Pledges were also required to carry a “Pledge Pack.” One particularly unusual requirement involved a pledge who was designated as the “NASCAR pledge,” forcing him to only turn left when walking. If he needed to turn right, he had to make three left turns instead. Following a one-month investigation, Sigma Alpha Mu was suspended, but not terminated, with individual members referred to the University Judiciary Committee.
Pi Kappa Alpha
The most notorious investigation of the season, reported on April 8th shortly before Sigma Alpha Mu’s investigation closed, involved Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike). In addition to the typical hazing practices—quizzes, forced consumption of nauseating items, and the application of hot sauce to sensitive areas—this fraternity took things further. One pledge was reportedly duct-taped to a wooden cross, force-fed a mixture of cottage cheese and hot sauce, and had hot sauce placed on his genitals. After a swift investigation lasting less than ten days, Pi Kappa Alpha’s FOA was terminated.
Pi Lambda Phi
Finally, Pi Lambda Phi was reported on April 12th for comparatively less severe hazing practices. Pledges faced quizzing with penalties of physical exercise, house cleaning, and errands. The fraternity also coerced its pledges to participate in a morning run. Pi Lambda Phi, like Sigma Alpha Mu, was suspended, with some members potentially facing individual disciplinary action through the University Judiciary Committee.
From coerced morning runs to disturbingly elaborate rituals, UVA has seen a wide spectrum of hazing behaviors this year, both in severity and strangeness. While the immediate consequences for these fraternities seem to have quelled the storm, there’s an underlying question: Is this the end of hazing at UVA, or just a respite until rush season begins again in January? One thing is clear—UVA has taken a firm stance that hazing will not be tolerated. Only time will tell if fraternities will heed the message or simply find new ways to hide their actions.
If you’d like to read more about the information above and see where the information came from, the Hazing Misconduct Reports is available here.
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