CSUN Orders End to Pledge Activity Following Possible Hazing

CSUN officials had cracked down following the July 1 death of a 19-year-old fraternity pledge.

All fraternities and sororities at California State University, Northridge have been ordered to stop pledge activity following reports of a possible hazing incident, just seven weeks after a university investigation determined that hazing was involved in the July death of a CSUN freshman.

The possible hazing incident involves fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha, which has been placed on interim suspension by the school and on administrative suspension by its national headquarters. A student from the pledge class reported the possible case of hazing one week ago, according to school officials.

After the complaint, school officials questioned several other pledges and "more than one" described what the school considered possible hazing incidents. Vice president of student affairs William Watkins sent a letter to all sorority and fraternity presidents Thursday evening, a copy of which was posted on the school newspaper’s website, and in it ordered that "all pledge activities immediately cease and desist" and that "all pledging must immediately stop."

"CSUN takes hazing allegations extremely seriously, and we are deeply committed to protecting the health and safety of all students," Watkins wrote. "Following Armando Villa’s tragic death while on a fraternity-sponsored hike in the Angeles National Forest, CSUN reviewed all applicable policies and procedures to ensure that the university’s zero-tolerance policy on hazing is clearly understood and followed."

The school conducted training sessions with the sorority and fraternity community concerning expectations around pledge activities.

"Fortunately, one of our students came to us as a result of that training and reported to us concerning behavior that was occurring within the chapter pledge process," said William Watkins, CSUN dean of students.

In early September, CSUN officials announced that hazing contributed to the death of 19-year-old Pi Kappa Phi pledge Armando Villa (pictured below), who passed out in the Angeles National Forest during a hike in July and later died at the hospital. Following the internal investigation, that fraternity surrendered its CSUN chapter.

"The report’s findings are deeply disturbing, and I will not turn a blind eye to any reports of hazing," CSUN President Dianne Harrison had said in a statement in September. "Hazing is stupid, senseless, dangerous and against the law in California. It is a vestige of a toxic way of thinking in which it was somehow OK to degrade, humiliate and potentially harm others. It has no place on this or any university campus, in any student club or organization, and it will not be tolerated."

In the statement issued Thursday, Watkins reiterated those thoughts, adding that it was “shocking and disappointing” that the alleged hazing would continue given that CSUN’s efforts to ensure a recruitment that “conforms to the university’s zero tolerance policy on hazing.”

According to the statement, any Greek organization that continues pledge activities will be suspended immediately and could be removed by the university.

President Harrison plans to address fraternity and sorority leaders to discuss expectations and changes, according to the statement.

"At this time, there will be no spring 2015 new member intake activity," the statement said.

As for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigation into Villa's death, authorities told NBC4 Friday that the department will be submitting its finding to the district attorney as early as next week. The district attorney's office would then consider whether criminal charges will be filed in the case.

NBC4's Jonathan Lloyd contributed to this report.

Contact Us