Hazing Misconduct Report

Last updated: 09-11-23

Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 23.1-822, the University provides a report of past hazing misconduct involving student organizations. The information below includes the name of the student organization, the dates (if known) of the hazing behavior, the date such behavior was reported to the University, the dates of investigation and when the organization was found responsible, and a description of the findings. Reports of hazing that did not result in a finding of responsibility are not included. The University will update this information at least ten calendar days prior to the start of each fall and spring semester, and typically within 14 days of a finding of responsibility for hazing behavior. The University will maintain the information for ten years following the date of initial disclosure.
 

Name of Student Organization

Date(s) of Hazing Misconduct

Date Reported

Dates of Investigation

Date Organization was Found Responsible

Description of Incident (charges, findings, and sanctions)
Women's Club Gymnastics (CIO) 9/16/22 9/19/22 9/22/2022 - 9/28/2022 10/12/22

Following an investigation in which the Women's Club Gymnastics Team fully cooperated and acknowledged responsibility for hazing, the University found the following behaviors associated with an event called “Initiation” that occurred on 9/16/2022:
• New members were instructed to arrive at the event location at precisely 9:16 pm without information on the nature or purpose of the gathering.
• New members were divided into groups and asked to wear a specific color (e.g., blue, yellow, pink, and orange) based on the group.
• New members were instructed to do wall sits and attempt to make a current member laugh with success leading to the end of the wall sit. Failure resulted in having to take a shot of alcohol or water.
• New members were instructed to shoot a basketball into a hoop and play a drinking game with consequences for failure including taking a shot of alcohol or water.
• New members were instructed to do one handed cartwheels with a jello shot in the other hand.
• New members were instructed to complete certain tasks including singing, dancing, and finding large sticks.

As a result of these findings, the CIO was referred to the University Judiciary Committee for adjudication. 

The Committee issued the following sanctions:

  1. The organization’s current Co-Presidents must attend two meetings with a member of the UVA administration from either Student Engagement or Fraternity & Sorority Life. The first of these meetings should take place prior to April 28, 2023. The second meeting should take place in the fall semester of 2023, prior to the first social event of the semester at which new members are present – but no later than September 29, 2023. At these meetings, the Co-Presidents should discuss what they learned from the UJC process, their plans for social events and welcoming new members, and how they intend to ensure future hazing does not occur in the organization. After each meeting, the Co-Presidents should send proof of the meeting to the UJC Vice Chair for Sanctions, including a list of topics discussed.
  2. The organization must make changes to its transition documents to reflect a commitment that all executive committee members will attend Hoos Against Hazing or similar training. Additionally, the organization must add provisions in appropriate documents to ensure that the Social Chair meets with the Co-Presidents to discuss risk mitigation measures before any social event is scheduled. The documents must be submitted to the UJC Vice Chair for Sanctions by March 21, 2023. The organization must also submit notes to the Vice Chair for Sanctions from the first risk mitigation meeting before the organization’s next social event, and no later than May 21, 2023.
University Guide Service Various between September and November 2022 11/7/22 12/5/2022 - 12/20/2022 12/21/22

Following the initial report of hazing, a portion of the University Guide Service’s (UGS) Special Status Agreement pertaining to new member recruitment and training was suspended. UGS leadership cooperated with the investigative process. The University found UGS responsible for hazing based on the following behaviors:
• A current member (“Big Guide”) attempted to “ice” new members (“probies), which involves forcing new members to chug a Smirnoff Ice. In addition – and while not strictly hazing behavior – Big Guides provided alcohol to underage probies on multiple occasions.
• On 9/22/2022, UGS held a “Probie Progressive” activity during which probies were expected to go from one Lawn room to another to meet current members of UGS and consume the beverage provided at each location. Most of the locations only had alcoholic beverages.
• At a “Probie Scare” event, new members were intentionally misinformed about the requirements of the probie semester. They were provided a fake syllabus that included details for extensive required readings and assignments, as well as a mandatory “Probie Road Trip” during fall break. The syllabus also included the statement “Probie does not equal Guide” bolded and underlined as well as statements indicating the bottom 15% of the probie class would not become guides and instead would be required to repeat the probie semester. Following review of this fake syllabus, probies were given a quiz with questions that were intentionally crafted to be so specific and difficult that probies could not reasonably know or guess the answers. Probies were then instructed to turn the quiz over and informed that the syllabus and quiz were not real and that this was a joke.
• On the same date as the “Probie Scare,” UGS held a “Meet the” event which included spontaneous and public pressure for probies to wear an embarrassing costume at a high profile location.
• Probies were tasked with remixing a popular song and perform it on the steps of the Rotunda following each probie class. During the performances they were yelled at by Big Guides. 
• Probies were taken by car to an undisclosed off-Grounds location without prior notice or warning. While in vehicles driven by UGS members, many probies were misled or simply not told where they were being taken which resulted in fear and anxiety around safety.
• Probies were required to stand for the duration of Big Guiding, even when they were not actively giving their tour.

As a result of these findings, UGS was referred to the University Judiciary Committee for adjudication. 

The Committee issued the following sanctions:

  1. The executive committee of UGS must create a central document of conduct expectations for all members of the organization that explicitly incorporates anti-hazing measures. This document must be made available to all members, including probationary members. The document must be reviewed and approved by the organizational advisor and executive committee each semester.
  2. UGS must hold a general body meeting every semester detailing conduct expectations for all members. Proof of the first general body meeting must be submitted by Friday, March 17, 2023. Proof of the second general body meeting must be submitted by Friday, September 22, 2023. For both meetings, it is required that 2/3 of the general body attend, and proof of attendance must be submitted to the University Judiciary Committee Vice Chair for Sanctions.
Kappa Alpha 2/5/2022 - 5/1/2022 5/1/22 5/3/22 - 5/24/22 6/1/22 Following an investigation, the University found Kappa Alpha responsible for hazing based upon the following behaviors:
• New members were required to carry specific items at all times during the pledging process including cigarettes, lighters, condoms, beef jerky, chewing tobacco, and Zyns (smokeless nicotine pouches).
• Brothers offered new members unusual and/or inedible items to eat, some of which were consumed by new members.
• New members were not allowed to use the bathroom or furniture in the chapter house.
• New members were responsible for cleaning the house in the spring of their pledge process and subsequent fall semester. They were expected to set up before a party and clean up afterwards, and in the absence of a party were expected to clean the house weekly. 
• New members participated in a “case race” during which they were instructed to consume a 30-pack of beer in small groups. 
• New members participated in an activity called a “cig line-up" during which they were confined in a bathroom together and instructed to smoke all the cigarettes in their pledge packs. 
• On five or six occasions, hot sauce was placed on new members’ necks and backs.
• During initiation, new members were sprayed with water from a hose and had flour thrown at them such that it stuck to their bodies. New members were also hit with coat hangers.
• Some brothers of KA referred to new members as “goats” when they were in a group together.
• New members were asked to drive brothers to various locations around Charlottesville and/or pick up or buy food or beverages for current members of KA.
• New members were required to do pushups and wall-sits as part of line-ups.
As a result of these findings, the chapter’s operating agreement with the University was terminated. The chapter’s national organization may petition to re-colonize at the University after four years. 
Theta Tau (CIO) 4/1/22 4/1/22 4/11/2022 - 4/27/2022 6/1/22 An investigation determined that the chapter required its new members to perform favors such as picking up food or coffee, attending a brother's intramural game, following/liking content on social media, and swiping a brother into a dining hall. Failure of new members to satisfactorily complete these favors resulted in punishments. These punishments included receiving a derogatory nickname and collecting signatures in a public setting for a fake petition. As a result of these findings, the chapter was referred to the University Judiciary Committee for adjudication.
On October 24, 2022, the UJC sanctioned Theta Tau to the following: 1) full compliance with the sanctions instituted by Theta Tau’s national organization on July 22, 2022; 2) revisions to the new member process and incorporation of those revisions into the CIO’s bylaws; 3) establishment of the Risk Management Chair (or other designee) as monitor to receive reports of hazing from potential new members and new members; 4) establishment of an anonymous reporting method for allegations of hazing; 5) required meeting of Theta Tau’s Regent with Student Engagement staff during the Spring and Fall 2023 semesters prior to recruitment in each of those semesters; 6) submission of the recruitment and new member education plan to the UJC Vice Chair for Sanctions in the Spring and Fall 2023 semesters prior to the start of recruitment; and 7) establishment of written executive committee transition documents.
Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) 2/15/22 2/21/2022; 2/23/2022 3/3/22 - 3/31/22 4/19/22 Following an investigation, the University found Phi Gamma Delta responsible for hazing based upon the following behaviors:
• After receiving instructions to arrive at the chapter house at precisely 10:28 pm, the new members were asked to blindfold themselves before entering the house. 
• After being led into the house basement, the new members removed their blindfolds and were instructed to consume food items placed in crates. The crates contained various combinations of milk, bananas, sprite, mayonnaise, and broccoli. The teams were to race one another in consuming the food items. During the activity, one new member was observed vomiting.
• The pledge educator instructed the new members to put on blindfolds and engage in “wall-sits” against the basement wall.
• While the new members engaged in wall-sits, several FIJI brothers began throwing eggs against the ceiling and walls around the blindfolded new members. The basement was dark with loud music playing. One pledge was struck in the eye by an egg. 
• Multiple witnesses confirm that the victim was in pain and asked to go to the hospital. No effort was made to call 911 or secure immediate medical assistance. As a result of these findings, the chapter's operating agreement with the University was terminated. The chapter's national organization may petition to re-colonize at the University after four years. Five students were referred to the University Judiciary Committee for adjudication. 
Phi Kappa Psi 2/10/22 2/13/22 2/14/2022 - 3/1/2022 3/2/22 During a bid party on February 10, 2022, new members were instructed to wear white clothing while brothers wore black. There is some suggestion that the white shirts were intended to be marked upon by brothers. While these findings suggest only one incidence of low-level hazing behavior, the Investigators expressed serious concern regarding the veracity of new member statements. They did not believe new members were fully truthful, transparent, or forthright in the investigative process. Investigators based this concern on the multitude of inconsistencies in statements provided by new members and the chapter President that go beyond what a reasonable person would consider to be normal variances in memory or experience of a shared event. Upon this finding of responsibility, the chapter's sanctions included: abbreviated 10-day new member education period as outlined by the chapter's national organization; an approved mandatory hazing prevention program for all members of the chapter.
Delta Delta Delta 2/4/22 2/4/22 2/8/2022 - 3/7/2022 4/12/22

During an investigation into reports of potential hazing behavior, Tri-Delta Sorority acknowledged hazing associated with events attended by their new members. The sorority held an event on February 4, 2022, known as “The Scare” which featured a mixer with St. Elmo fraternity where pledge class members attended and alcohol was provided. The event was intended for pledges to get to know current members. During the event, the pledges were required to watch a presentation that included information about current members. During the slideshow, a Tri Delta sister ran into the room and said someone in the pledge class had reported them for an alcohol violation. She then announced she was going to take a picture of the pledge class, and that someone needed to disclose who had reported them. After time passed the Tri Delta sister returned to the room to explain the situation was a joke. The event’s purpose was to scare the pledges. The investigation also revealed that new members had words written on their bodies. Following the investigation, the case was referred to the University Judiciary Committee for formal adjudication. 
On October 14, 2022, the UJC sanctioned Tri Delta Sorority to the following: 1) suspension in abeyance for at least one semester for any violation of the University’s hazing policy within the next three years; 2) creation of a chapter Hazing Prevention Chair; 3) creation of a revised Hazing Prevention Plan; 4) attendance of at least 75% of chapter members at an alcohol outreach event by an approved prevention organization; 5) establishment of a chapter transition document; 6) creation of an internal chapter disciplinary record; 7) establishment of a written pledge process to be approved by the UJC Vice Chair for Sanctions; 8) notification of the UJC trial outcome to all chapter members and Delta Delta Delta’s national headquarters; and 9) completion of an internal audit of all long-standing events and traditions to review their compliance with University policy.

In addition to University action, the chapter was placed on probation by its national organization until April 6, 2024. Probation status includes additional educational and operational requirements that must be completed during the designated time period.