Pitt sorority on suspension after alleged hazing incident

PENN HILLS, Pa. — Penn Hills police are investigating an alleged hazing incident involving members of a University of Pittsburgh sorority.

The serious hazing allegations come from 12 young women.

According to a letter from the dean of students, the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority chapter has been placed on interim suspension of recognition.

The letter said the university has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to endangering the mental or physical health of a student.

The entire Pitt Greek Life community remains on modified social probation because of a prior incident involving alcohol.

This latest incident doesn't involve underage drinking; the allegations of physical abuse came from the mother of a sorority member.

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"There was some bruising on her arms, asked the daughter what happened," said Howard Burton, chief of Penn Hills police.

Their officers are working with University of Pittsburgh police to investigate reports of hazing that became physical, involving pledges and members of campus sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.

"We had a mother come into our police station with her daughter and 11 other young ladies who were all pledges at Pitt," Burton said. "The mother made accusations that these girls were all taken to a house somewhere and possibly smacked with paddles, something like that."

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Police would not say exactly where in Penn Hills, and because it's spring break they have yet to interview each of the girls, who are all in their late teens and early 20s.

Word of the sorority's suspension spread fast as sanctions are already in place after an off-campus fraternity event in January. A student went to the hospital after consuming excessive alcohol.

The allegations remain under investigation.

Cox Media Group