Arkansas Tech University has taken the following actions following the filing of formal charges by Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Gibbons on Tuesday, Aug. 21, related to an alleged off-campus hazing activity conducted by the Pi-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
(1) Based upon evidence of hazing provided by Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Tech Department of Public Safety and Kappa Alpha Psi Southwestern Province official Timothy Albert, the Pi-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi is no longer a recognized student organization at Arkansas Tech University effective immediately.
(2) Arkansas Tech has initiated student disciplinary procedures for Deonte Bradley, the lone Arkansas Tech student charged in the case. Bradley has been suspended from participation with the Arkansas Tech football program.
“Arkansas Tech University has a zero tolerance policy for hazing rituals,” said Susie Nicholson, vice president for student services and university relations. “Students involved in, encouraging, aiding and or assisting in hazing or hazing related activities are subject to a conduct review resulting in possible suspension or expulsion from the university.”
Through the course of a four-month investigation, Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas Tech University Department of Public Safety found evidence that the Pi-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was in violation of the 2011-12 Arkansas Tech student code of conduct.
Specifically, the Pi-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi violated the following policy:
Article III, Section B, 6: Hazing, defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.
Arkansas Tech placed the Pi-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi on suspension upon learning of hazing allegations on April 21, 2012. Kappa Alpha Psi followed on April 24, 2012, by placing its Pi-Upsilon Chapter on “cease and desist” until the completion of an investigation conducted by the university.
With the permanent removal of Pi-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi as a recognized student organization at Arkansas Tech, all local activities of the chapter must stop and all privileges associated with being a recognized student organization are immediately revoked. At the time the university suspended the Pi-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in April, the organization had three active members at Arkansas Tech.
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