Kappa Alpha Psi permanently suspended

On Fri., June 4, 2010, the Student Judicial Board at Georgia State ruled that Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. would be permanently suspended from campus due to alleged hazing.

The Board concluded that on Dec. 16, 2009, a student was "slapped in the face three times and punched in the stomach, an area of his body that had a surgical scar from a previous injury." Due to the stomach injury, the student fell to the ground, coughing up blood.

When the injured student and another interest (a student who has expressed an interest in joining the fraternity) reported the incident to the chapter's alumni advisor, both students were provided with the name of a doctor and told to speak with the "Dean of Pledges" if there were further concerns.

According to the Student Organization Hearing Results released by the Board, a formal complaint against the Kappa Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi claimed that hazing incidents occurred between October 2009 and February 2010.

Kappa Alpha Psi's official stance on hazing , according to the national fraternity's website, is to report incidents to the University's Office of Student Activities, local authorities or campus police or to the fraternity's international headquarters (for which a phone number with a Pennsylvania area code is provided).

On Dec. 10, 2009, an anonymous student reported in a letter to University officials that Kappa Alpha Psi interests had been subjected to physical harm in the form of being "slapped, hit by hand and with a cane, kicked and punched," according to the hearing results.

Although a Cease and Desist notice was issued by the University to the Kappa Theta chapter on Dec. 18, 2009, in regards to their tactics, the fraternity continued to participate in such activities.

Kappa Alpha Psi Interests were also required to "drink an alcohol beverage called ‘Nupe Juice' and eat a mixture of random food compiled on a plate called ‘Kappa Koncoction'" and to "to complete "missions" that included running errands, picking-up food, and driving members to and from work, school and social events."

The fraternity's president and alumni advisor were also found to have "made false statements and provided misleading information, including by omission."

The hearing results, released on June 18, 2010, cited a total of six violations of Georgia State's Student Code of Conduct, including "violation of published […] policies," "Verbally threatening, physically abusing, or threatening physical abuse, intimidation, coercion and/or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety" of members of the Georgia State community," false statement to University officials, "Engaging in, supporting, promoting or sponsoring hazing," "Commission of any offense prohibited by federal, state or local law," and "failure to comply with University officials or law enforcement."