Mississippi State officials announced today that one of the university's oldest social fraternities is being placed on probation.
Beginning immediately, Pi Kappa Alpha will be prohibited from engaging in any social activity through Dec. 31, 1997. Members also face a review of their local policies and current members by the organization's national headquarters.
A board of faculty and students impaneled by the Division of Student Affairs found Pi Kappa Alpha guilty of three major violations of university regulations during the current semester. The decision followed a hearing last week.
The 90-member fraternity was chartered at Mississippi State in 1927.
In keeping with university policy regarding the privacy of judicial proceedings, specific information on the fraternity's transgressions was not released.
Terms of the probation call for the chapter to:
"have 100 percent participation" at university-sponsored programs concerning alcohol awareness and sexual assault/harassment awareness,
complete 1,000 hours of community service, and
sponsor during the 1997 spring semester a risk management program that will be available to all Greek-letter organizations on campus.
"Any violation of university policy during the probation period would result in suspension of the fraternity's registration on campus," said Roy H. Ruby, vice president for student affairs.
Before the probationary period ends, the university will review the fraternity "to determine if the sanctions were adhered to." If they were, the organization could resume normal activities.
"Mississippi State will not tolerate acts of improper behavior like those committed by Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity," Ruby said. "We will take whatever actions necessary to see they never happen again with this or any other campus organization."