The Sigma Pi fraternity has been suspended until June 15, 2019 and placed on social probation until Spring 2020 for violation of health and safety code, violation of alcohol use, violations of law and violation of hazing and conspiracy to haze. The suspension is effective immediately, as of Monday, Jan. 14, according to Cal Poly Fraternity & Sorority Life.
The investigation confirmed the hazing involved new recruits being required to attach suitcases to their legs and carry them around campus during their day-do-day activities, according to University Spokesperson Matt Lazier. The report described this as humiliation of pledges, causing mental and emotional distress.
It is unknown how many reports of hazing the university received.
The fraternity was also found in violation of providing alcohol to pledges and minors during the recruitment and pledging process.
The university asked the Sigma Pi national chapter to review the chapter’s membership, and the chapter’s executive board is required to complete an educational training, according to Lazier.
The fraternity received a notice of suspension Monday and was banned from Winter 2019 rush events, starting Jan. 15.
The chapter has not commented on the sanctions at this time. Mustang News has reached out to the Cal Poly Interfraternity Council and Sigma Pi national headquarters but has not received a response from either.
Sigma Pi is known on campus for their annual Suicide and Mental Health Awareness Week and for notable alumni, such as iCracked Founder AJ Forsythe. The chapter has 91 brothers as of 2018, according to their website.
This is the second fraternity found in violation of hazing this school year.
Updated January 26, 2019.