Bowling Green State University has placed a fraternity on interim suspension for an alleged hazing
activity, as a student remains hospitalized, according to a spokesperson.
Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity is on interim suspension.
“We are working with local law enforcement, who are actively taking the lead in investigating this
unfolding situation,” said Alex Solis, deputy chief of staff and university spokesperson in a statement
on Saturday afternoon.
“This tragic incident has certainly impacted our students and community. BGSU is committed to not just
the student conduct and law enforcement investigations, but a full inquiry into each Greek chapter’s
prevention and compliance responsibilities under university policies prohibiting hazing. These
university processes and policies have been established to set high expectations and standards and to
enforce compliance and ensure the safety of all students.
“This morning, we began to meet with our student leaders to decide the short- and long-term future of
fraternity and sorority life at BGSU. In the days to come, we will also be reviewing all other student
organizations.
“Above all, we remain committed to supporting the hospitalized student’s family and friends. They are
living every loved one’s worst nightmare, and we owe them the utmost respect and privacy at this time.
“While our community deserves a space to process this tragic incident and we cannot censor freedom of
speech, we strongly encourage those who are sharing their opinions and potentially misleading details on
social media to cease and recognize that the student’s family and friends are in those same spaces
reliving the trauma and grief from these comments.”
The incident reportedly took place off campus.
A Bowling Green police spokesman was asked for a comment on Friday and Saturday.
A Bowling Green Police Division lieutenant, in an email, said they were aware of the incident, were
investigating and did not have anything additional to add at this time.
The fraternity, based in Memphis, Tennessee, released this statement on Saturday:
A student and unreported new member of the Delta Beta Chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha International
Fraternity at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, Ohio, was involved in an alleged
incident of alcohol-related hazing at an off-campus event.
The International Fraternity is horrified and outraged by this incident. The Fraternity has a
zero-tolerance policy toward illegal activity, substance abuse, bullying, and hazing of any kind. Let us
reiterate in the strongest terms: We refuse to defend or condone any behavior that creates dangerous
environments or situations for our members or the larger campus community at any of our 200+ chapters in
the United States and abroad.
We have immediately placed this chapter on administrative suspension and advised its leaders to cooperate
fully with University administration and local law enforcement. As more details are confirmed, we will
also pursue permanent suspension of Delta Beta Chapter as well as expulsion of all chapter members from
the International Fraternity.
The International Fraternity will cooperate fully with authorities as this incident is investigated and
will consider every possible course of action to hold the chapter and individual members accountable to
the fullest extent in accordance with the International Fraternity Constitution and Codes.
