Hazing Reports

Hazing at the University of Pittsburgh is prohibited. Hazing is a violation of the Student Code and its anti-hazing provision. Hazing may also be a criminal offense pursuant to Pennsylvania's Anti-Hazing Law.

In accordance with this law, the University is required to publish all violations of the institution's Student Code of Conduct related to hazing or federal or state laws related to hazing. As of Fall 2021, the Office of Compliance, Investigations, and Ethics has assumed responsibility for hazing violations for the Oakland Campus, while the Bradford, Greensburg and Johnstown campuses track their reports separately.

Additional information about hazing or the investigation and adjudication processes, as well as older reports can be found on the Student Affairs website.

University of Pittsburgh Anti-Hazing Law Report

Updated: January 1, 2024

Organization: Pi Kappa Phi
Date Violation Charged: November 24, 2023
Description of Violation: Anonymous report alleged that recent inquiry of Pi Kappa Phi’s alleged hazing activities was improperly influenced by members of the executive council and several other students. (See report referenced above dated September 21, 2023).
Investigation Findings: CIE Office Review is ongoing.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: N/A*

Organization: Delta Epsilon Mu
Date Violation Charged: November 14, 2023
Description of Violation: A parent posted a concern related to hazing to the Facebook page for Pitt Parents.
Investigation Findings: CIE Office Review is ongoing.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: N/A*

Organization: Sigma Phi Epsilon
Date Violation Charged: October 22, 2023
Description of Violation: Anonymous report alleged that new members go through an 8-week pledging process that includes hazing activities. The anonymous report described forced tasks, participation in lineups, the locking of new members in closets while blindfolded, forced consumption of chewing tobacco and vomit, and forced physical confrontation in Panther Hollow.
Investigation Findings: The CIE Office conducted an inquiry and was unable to substantiate the allegations. Those interviewed denied the allegations and without further investigative leads, the matter was closed.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: December 21, 2023

Organization: Pi Kappa Phi
Date Violation Charged: October 20, 2023
Description of Violation:  Anonymous report alleged that during a lineup, new members were forced to sort skittles on a basement floor and that new members were punished by forcing consumption of skittles.
Investigation Findings: The reporting party and members of the organization refused to cooperate with CIE Office inquiry or respond to outreach. Without corroboration, the review was closed without further investigation.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: November 9, 2023

Organization: Zeta Alpha Chi
Date Violation Charged: October 15, 2023
Description of Violation: Anonymous report of hazing of new member, including “a night of mental abuse from alumni” that involved cooking for members.
Investigation Findings: Review by the CIE Office is ongoing.
Sanctions:  N/A
Date Resolved: N/A*

Organization: South Asian Student Association
Date Violation Charged: October 14, 2023
Description of Violation: Following police response to intoxicated students, it was alleged that forced intoxication was part of an initiation event.
Investigation Findings: The CIE Office conducted an inquiry and determined that the event was not associated with hazing or initiation and that alcohol consumption was not coerced.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: December 6, 2023

Organization: Pi Kappa Phi
Date Violation Charged: September 21, 2023
Description of Violation: Anonymous report of hazing, including forced physical activity, forced consumption of food, and assigned tasks.
Investigation Findings: The CIE Office conducted an inquiry and was unable to substantiate the anonymous allegations. Video and text messages provided appeared to relate to an alternate and unidentified student organization.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: November 7, 2023

Organization: Mu Kappa Upsilon
Date Violation Charged: September 11, 2023
Description of Violation:  Anonymous report to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline alleged that the band fraternity forced pledges to perform free labor, deprived pledges of sleep and forced pledges to consume alcohol.
Investigation Findings: The CIE Office conducted an inquiry and was unable to substantiate the anonymous allegations.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: November 28, 2023

Organization: Theta Phi Alpha
Date Violation Charged: April 2, 2023
Description of Violation: Members alleged forced volunteer hours
Investigation Findings: After follow-up by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the issue was determined to be a miscommunication about volunteer hours and expectations.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: April 7, 2023

Organization: Pi Kappa Phi
Date Violation Charged: Spring 2023
Description of Violation: Alleged hazing of pledges during lineups, including forced alcohol consumption, forced physical conditioning, and forced food consumption
Investigation Findings: Allegations unsubstaniated after members refused to participate in requests for meetings with investigators
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: June 26, 2023

Organization: Sigma Phi Epsilon
Date Violation Charged: February 21, 2023
Description of Violation: Snapchat messages allegedly revealed pledges being yelled at, pledges washing dishes for brothers, and other alleged hazing activities.
Investigation Findings: All members of the fraternity were contacted with requests to meet with negative results.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: March 23, 2023

Organization: Sigma Sigma Sigma
Date Violation Charged: Unknown
Description of Violation: New members were allegedly provided with a box of wine after bid day
Investigation Findings: Reporting party was unable to provide eyewitness information. Conducted a survey of all members with no issues identified.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: February 10, 2023

Organization: Delta Phi Epsilon
Date Violation Charged: January 22, 2023
Description of Violation: Alleged forced alcohol consumption
Investigation Findings: Unable to substaniate allegations due to lack of cooperation from members of sorority
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: March 8, 2023

Organization: Alpha Phi Omega
Date Violation Charged: Initial Report November 16, 2022; Additional Report November 28, 2022
Description of Violation: Anonymous report alleged that member was drinking during chapter meetings and providing alcohol to pledges who may have felt compelled to consume.
Investigation Findings: Allegations could not be substantiated after new members failed to respond to meeting requests from the Office of Compliance, Investigations, and Ethics.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: December 20, 2022

Organization: Pi Kappa Phi
Date Violation Charged: Fall 2022; Reported November 22, 2022
Description of Violation: Anonymous allegation that new members were forced to wear suits, threatened with blackmail if hazing was reported, and to attend "football practice" that resulted in significant bruising to new members.
Investigation Findings: Allegations could not be substantiated after new members failed to respond to meeting requests from the Office of Compliance, Investigations, and Ethics.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: December 20, 2022

Organization: Sigma Alpha Mu
Date Violation Charged: Fall 2022; Reported October 6, 2022
Description of Violation: Anonymous report alleged that new members were forced to wear a unicorn backpack, watch pornography, and forced to listen to loud music.
Investigation Findings: Following an interview of a new member, the anonymous allegation could not be substantiated.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: November 10, 2022

Organization: Ultimate Frisbee Club
Date Violation Charged: September 7, 2022
Description of Violation: Anonymous report that freshman members were forced to consume alcohol after tryouts.
Investigation Findings: Allegations determined to be unfounded after the interviews of several team members, who reported that alcohol consumption was not compelled and entirely voluntary.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: October 28, 2022

Organization: Delta Sigma Phi
Date Violation Charged: November 13, 2021; Reported April 14, 2022
Description of Violation: New member was locked in the basement of a fraternity house for eight hours while blindfolded and forced to listen to provocative music.
Investigation Findings: Insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: September 13, 2022

Organization: Sigma Phi Epsilon
Date Violation Charged: February 18, 2022
Description of Violation: Anonymous request for an investigation in response to Yik Yak threads alleging forced consumption of dog food and vomit.
Investigation Findings: Allegations could not be substantiated.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: April 29, 2022

Organization: Alpha Kappa Psi
Date Violation Charged: February 18, 2022
Description of Violation: Anonymous allegation of hazing made to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department reporting verbal abuse and forced alcohol consumption.
Investigation Findings: Allegations could not be corroborated or verified.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: August 25, 2022

Organization: Sigma Delta Tau
Date Violation Charged: October 24, 2021; Reported February 10, 2022
Description of Violation: Allegation concerning the ranking of women with racially discriminatory language
Investigation Findings: Matter referred to Office of Civil Rights and Title IX for assessment and review. Complainants offered opportunity to file a student conduct referral or formal complaint and declined.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: July 18, 2023

Organization: Sigma Phi Epsilon
Date Violation Charged: November 1, 2021; Reported January 25, 2022
Description of Violation: Anonymous allegation of hazing made to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department reporting that new members were forced to do drugs, snort skittles candy by color, and fight one another in Panther Hollow.
Investigation Findings: Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon did not cooperate with the investigation and the allegations could not be substantiated.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: July 6, 2022

Organization: Pi Kappa Phi
Date Violation Charged: September 16, 2021; Reported January 25, 2022
Description of Violation: Anonymous allegation of hazing made to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department reporting that potential new members were forced to eat large amounts of food during a recruitment event.
Investigation Findings: Investigation included interviews with 13 out of 17 new members. Allegations determined to be unsubstantiated.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: April 26, 2022

Organization: Delta Chi Fraternity
Date Violation Charged: October 30, 2021
Description of Violation: Allegation of hazing including forced physical exercise, yelling, and slapping of new members.
Investigation Findings: Allegations were corroborated following a full investigation.
Sanctions: Individual members and Chapter were found responsible. Sanctions imposed by the Office of Student Conduct.
Date Resolved: August 5, 2022

Organization: Unknown
Date Violation Charged: October 28, 2021
Description of Violation: Anonymous allegation of hazing reported to the Pitt Concern Connection and referred to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department
Investigation Findings: It was reported that a fraternity was hazing new members by making them snort cocaine and that another fraternity was branding members. The matter was closed after witnesses could not be identified.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: April 29, 2022

Organization: Pi Kappa Alpha
Date Violation Charged: October 7, 2021
Description of Violation: Anonymous allegation of hazing reported to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department and Office of Compliance, Investigations, and Ethics
Investigation Findings: It was reported that a pledge was required to carry school supplies around in a pizza box, another pledge was required to only make left turns, and that another pledge had to purchase cigarettes for members. After investigation, the allegation was deemed unfounded.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: December 14, 2021

Organization: The Cheer Team
Date Violation Charged: September 20, 2021
Description of Violation: Anonymous allegation of hazing reported to the Head Cheer and Dance Coach and subsequently reported to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department and the Office of Compliance, Investigations, and Ethics
Investigation Findings: It was reported that first year members of the cheer team were drinking out of baby bottles, while upper-class students were drinking out of buckets. After investigation, the allegation was deemed unfounded.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: October 5, 2021

Organization: The Mastana Dance Team
Date Violation Charged: September 14, 2021
Description of Violation: Anonymous allegation of hazing reported to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department and the Pitt Concern Connection
Investigation Findings: It was reported that new members of the Mastana Dance Team were pressured to consume alcohol during an initiation ceremony. After investigation, the allegation was deemed unfounded.
Sanctions: N/A
Date Resolved: October 13, 2021

*where the investigation is ongoing as of the update of this report, the Date Resolved is indicated as not applicable (N/A)

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