A UConn sorority suspended for hazing allegations that included forced alcohol drinking has been stripped of its recognition as a student organization, according to a statement from the university.
Kappa Kappa Gamma received notice of the decision on May 7. The sorority is prohibited from operating on campus until 2017 and will be losing its house in Husky Village during that time.
“Based on the information presented, there is a preponderance of evidence to show that members of Kappa Kappa Gamma engaged in hazing behaviors including but not limited to forced consumption of alcohol, acting like animals, and sizzling like bacon, which included lying on the floor and wiggling,” according to a letter to the sorority from UConn Associate Director of Student Affairs Joseph Briody. “These behaviors occurred during an event in which Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters received Big Brothers from a Greek fraternity.”
Kappa was found in violation of several provisions of the UConn Student Code, including “conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety” of students, hazing, serving alcohol to minors and “abuse of the University student conduct system,” the letter reads.
The sorority is barred until May 7, 2018. Residents of the Kappa house in Husky Village will be required to move out by May 15. Students who have elected to live in the house next fall will be reassigned to other on-campus housing, according to the letter.
The decision comes about two months after an alleged hazing incident that sent one member to the hospital with alcohol poisoning.
“The University’s decision to revoke Kappa Kappa Gamma’s registration and recognition was not taken lightly, but it was appropriate and imperative in light of the severity of the circumstances,” university officials said in a statement Wednesday. “The safety of our students is paramount, and UConn will continue to take swift and appropriate action whenever necessary to protect their well-being.”
The sorority can appeal the decision until May 14.
With Kappa’s revocation, the number of Greek organizations on campus has fallen from 34 to 33, according to the university.
The UConn chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity was also investigated in connection with the alleged hazing incident. A review meeting for SAE will be held next week.
Three other Greek organizations – Delta Zeta, Delta Gamma and Sigma Chi – are on interim suspension in connection with unrelated incidents.
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