Disgusting Pledge Book Found at Frat Leads to Disbanding Due to Hazing Accusations
On Wednesday, March 25th, North Carolina State University announced that it had disbanded one fraternity on hazing accusations, and would review all fraternity and sorority activities, after the school found a pledge book filled with racist slurs and sexually charged comments.
An investigation into the school’s chapter of Pi Kappa Phi last week resulted in the discovery of the pledge book, which including handwritten references to lynching or raping the pledges.
The book was reportedly filled with quotations including, “if she’s hot enough, she doesn’t need a pulse” and “that tree is so perfect for lynching.”
In a statement released by the university, NCSU Chancellor Randy Woodson said he hoped the closure of Pi Kappa Phi “makes it clear that there is no place for intolerance, sexism and racism at NC State.”
“We know what they say their values are, but we see evidence with a number of fraternities not living up to those values,” he said. “I was very concerned members of our community would think and write such derogatory things toward women and minorities.”
“The quotes in the journal are reprehensible, unacceptable and perpetuate hateful stereotypes,” Pi Kappa Phi Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Timmes said in a statement. “The students recognize they violated our standards and have accepted responsibility.”
Another incident involving Alpha Tau Omega led to the chapter’s suspension for investigation. The fraternity was accused of possessing drugs in their frat house, which may have been used during hazing, and a woman said she was sexually assaulted there.
South Carolina’s Universities Suffer Terrible Hazing Rituals As Well
South Carolina is home to numerous colleges and universities, including College of Charleston, Trident Technical College, Clemson University, the University of South Carolina (with numerous campuses), Winthrop University, and South Carolina State University. Many of these colleges are home to fraternities and sororities, which should help students find friends and build close connections that can help them later in life. Instead, too many of these frat and sororities use hazing rituals to induct pledges into the group, which can cause serious personal injury and even death.
No matter the type of group conducting the hazing, common hazing practices can include:
- physical abuse or excessive physical activity
- being verbally or emotionally abusive
- public humiliation and private humiliation
- depriving one of sleep
- forced sex acts
The Strom Law Firm Defends Victims of Hazing Rituals
Hazing rituals are illegal in South Carolina. However, it is difficult to prove in too many cases – victims of hazing rituals or violence do not often come forward, unless they suffer serious personal injury or know someone who has been killed due to the hazing. In some instances, students that suffer hazing may be intimidated into keeping silent. Even worse, an aggressor may accuse the hazing victim of condoning the activity.
The South Carolina personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at the Strom Law Firm defend victims of hazing in court. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the hazing incident you or a loved one suffered. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800
