Penn State frat suspended through summer 2024

Four-year penalty announced amid hazing allegations

Penn State has suspended a fraternity in State College for four years after a joint investigation found allegations of misconduct related to hazing.

The Alpha Psi Chapter of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity was suspended through summer 2024 after allegations of hazing during the new member education process, in addition to furnishing alcohol to minors and violations of university regulations during recruitment practices. Penn State recommended suspension, and the national organization revoked the chapter’s charter Sept. 28, after an appeals process.

It is the third fraternity suspended this fall, although the previous two Pi Kappa Alpha and Phi Kappa Psi were disciplined in August for violating COVID-19-related policies.

“Hazing in any form must become unacceptable to all of us,” Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, said in a written statement Friday. “Until all of our students demonstrate an understanding of that simple truth, we will offer educational programming to prevent them from hazing and aggressively respond in every instance where they do.”

The specific allegations, and what acts the hazing entailed, were not made known.

According to the university, the suspension means Sigma Tau Gamma will not be able to participate, attend or organize any functions, activities or events including participating in universitywide events as an organization. The fraternity lost all privileges as a recognized student organization.

The university also noted that Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, which was signed into law in October 2018, created a tiered penalty system for hazing that established stricter punishment and holds both individuals and organizations accountable. The law was named after a 19-year-old Penn State sophomore who died after a Beta Theta Pi pledge event.