FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jason Foster, foster@mail.sdsu.edu
SDSU Marketing & Communications
Phone (619) 594-2585 Pager (619) 620-1184
SAN DIEGO, Friday, April 30, 2004
San Diego State University has suspended
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity for three years
after a campus investigation determined the organization engaged in hazing during
the fall 2003 semester. Four members also are undergoing disciplinary procedures
and may face sanctions ranging from probation to expulsion.
“The university has zero tolerance for hazing, and we’re particularly
concerned with activities that may injure students or put their health at risk,”
said Dr. James Kitchen, vice president for Student Affairs. “We will hold
organizations and individuals accountable for their actions, and this case merits
a strong response.”
The fraternity’s suspension means it will lose all on-campus status privileges
until the end of the spring 2007 semester, including participation in university
or Associated Students-sponsored events; applying for Associated Students funding
or conducting its own fund-raising activities on campus; free or discounted
use of university or Associated Students facilities; participation in Greek
Week or other social, recreational or recruiting events sponsored by the National
Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC); the right to vote or hold office in the NPHC; and
chapter participation in intramural sports leagues.
In addition, the chapter must meet a number of other conditions prior to reinstatement,
such as not allowing members initiated in spring 2003 or before to participate
in chapter-related activities while suspended (suspended chapters are still
permitted to participate in leadership workshops, community service, and other
activities approved by the SDSU Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life); sponsoring
a hazing workshop during the 2004-05 year for all NPHC organizations at SDSU,
and this workshop must be attended by all Kappa Alpha Psi active and prospective
members, plus 60 percent of the total undergraduate membership of SDSU’s
other NPHC organizations; and having all Kappa Alpha Psi chapter members sign
an affidavit indicating they have read, understood and will comply with SDSU’s
Greek Guidelines policy on hazing.
The investigation, by the university’s Center for Student Rights &
Responsibilities, concluded the fraternity violated the campus’ hazing
policies between September 28, 2003 and October 7, 2003 by subjecting prospective
members to several forms of physical abuse.
The university will review the suspension’s length and terms at the end
of the spring 2006 semester.
The fraternity has the right to appeal this decision to Vice President Kitchen
in writing by May 13 if it believes the investigation’s findings or subsequent
sanctions are unreasonable. There is no further level of appeal.
The Kappa Alpha Psi chapter was established in 1951, making it the oldest historically
African-American fraternity at SDSU.
Douglas N. Case, Coordinator
Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive, Mail Code 7445
San Diego, CA 92182-7445
Voice: (619) 594-2939
Facsimile: (619) 594-1045
Email: Doug.Case@sdsu.edu
Cellular: (619) 743-4996
Location: Office of Student Life & Development, Student Service West 1602
Receptionist: (619) 594-4745
