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: The Committee issued the following sanctions:
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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: The Committee issued the following sanctions:
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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. 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. |