Kappa Sigs investigated for hazing
Fraternity suspended for possible illegal activities
By Colleen Casey
Staff Reporter

The local chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity has been suspended from conducting activities because of hazing allegations, and criminal charges could follow, university officials said Wednesday night.

Associate Dean of Campus Life Michael Russel confirmed Wednesday that the university is conducting an investigation into the allegations and that “criminal charges are pending” against some Kappa Sigma members.
Neither Russel nor Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Don Mills would elaborate on the nature of the allegations.

The suspension bars Kappa Sigma from participating in any events or programs on or off campus, Mills said. He said the suspension is in place because the university wanted to be sure Kappa Sigma doesn’t
violate any TCU policies while under investigation.

Mills said Wednesday night he couldn’t remember the exact date of the suspension but said the office of student affairs suspended Kappa Sigma’s activities approximately two weeks ago.

Russel said he hopes campus life’s investigation will conclude this week.
Texas law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution directed against a student, that endangers their health or safety for a purpose concerning the membership in any organization.

The Texas law also states that hazing is a misdemeanor offense and may be punishable by a fine of at least $5,000 or not more than double the amount loss or expenses incurred because of injury, damage or loss caused by the hazing.

Kappa Sigma member and Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council chief justice of the judicial board Seth Duplantis said Wednesday he had no comment on what the allegations were about but he said Monday he had “heard some rumors” of the suspension.

Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Tom Sullivan, who said Monday he did not have a comment at this point in the investigation, did not return phone calls Wednesday night.

Kappa Sigma is the second fraternity that has been under investigation by campus life this semester. The earlier investigation and disciplinary procedures began in February, as reported in the TCU Daily Skiff Feb. 22.

In that article Russel said members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and some student athletes were involved in the investigation into the use of a slingshot to launch water balloons on a disabled car, the report stated.

Mills said Wednesday that the resolution to this investigation was reached several weeks ago and Russel said there are currently sanctions against individual Pi Kappa Phi members.

Efforts to contact Kappa Sigma president Richard Colvin have been unsuccessful.

Colleen Casey
c.m.casey@student.tcu.edu

credits

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002