Penn State sorority loses recognition due to hazing

UNIVERSITY PARK - A Penn State sorority has lost its recognition for at least three years after the university conducted an investigation into hazing.

The Alpha Chi Omega sorority had its recognition revoked by its national chapter Wednesday.

"Upon learning of the highly disturbing allegations of hazing, Alpha Chi Omega deployed a team of professional staff members and volunteers to the campus to investigate further," read a release from officials with the Alpha Chi Omega national office.

"Regrettably, our internal inquiry has led our National Council to determine that the allegations are credible and warrant the immediate closure of our chapter at Penn State."

According to school officials, the Office of Student Conduct received a report in January about "new member hazing" that happened in the fall of 2016.

The chapter was immediately suspended, and the investigation resulted in reports of "concerning behaviors" that the university relayed to the national chapter.

The national office decided to immediately close the Penn State chapter.

Alpha Chi Omega can longer participate in THON and other University-sanctioned events and has lost access to student-fee funding.

The chapter is the first sorority to lose its recognition following the death of Beta Theta Pi pledge Timothy Piazza.

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