The Beta Sigma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. hasbeen suspended from operation. The order was handed down from RobertBennett, dean of Student Life at Southern University.
According to Bennett, between Monday, Jan. 24 and Tuesday,Jan. 25, members of the fraternity allegedly took an apparent prospectivemember to a hotel in Port Allen and in a wooded area in Zachary on twooccasions. The prospective member was allegedly struck repeatedly on the buttocks,shoulders and back at both locations. He later reported his attacks to the SUPolice Department.
“Although the young man reported the incident to us, it didnot occur in our jurisdiction,” said SU Chief of Police Dale Flowers. “Weadvised him to contact the appropriate police departments in Port Allen andZachary.”
Bennett said the individuals who allegedly inflicted harm onthe prospective member face several consequences. If individuals are indeedidentified as the abusers, their charges will be handled on an individualbasis. If no individual comes forward or is officially identified, the entirefraternity will face further punishment.
“First of all, hazing is a felony — they (members) can bearrested. Second, they can be suspended from the university for violating theuniversity’s code of conduct. Third, the fraternity can suspend them frommembership,” Bennett said.
It has also been discovered that the fraternity allegedlyinflicted abuse on the prospective member before their official intake requestwas cleared with the university.
Bennett and other university officials stress proper conductamongst fraternal organizations. Pan-Hellenic members and their advisers wererequired to attend a hazing/judicial workshop in November 2004. The National Pan-HellenicCouncil is the governing body of the nine black Greek organizations: Alpha PhiAlpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Iota Phi Theta,Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta.
Bennett said the university tries to conduct such workshopstwice a year.
“It’s not like these organizations don’t know what hazingis…or the consequences of partaking in it,” Bennett said.
According to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.’s Web site, theNPHC defines hazing as “action that results in excessive mutual or physicaldiscomfort, embarrassment or harassment; that such activities include, but arenot limited to, paddling, creation of excessive fatigue, physical orpsychological shock, morally degrading or humiliating activities, late worksessions that interfere with scholastic activities and any other activitiesinconsistent with fraternal law and regulations and policies of the affiliatededucational institution and federal, state or local law.” The organizationstates that these actions are defined as hazing whether it occurs on or offcampus, fraternity premises or other places where members and prospectivemembers meet.
The Beta Sigma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Inc. was lastsuspended in April 2002 for misconduct at a step show at Xavier University inNew Orleans.
Bennett said the university is following proper protocol inthis matter.
“We don’t want to jeopardize anyone’s collegiate career, butthese sanctions are in place for things like this,” Bennett said.
No further information about the alleged abuse case wasavailable at press time. Further investigation is pending by Bennett and policeofficials in Zachary and Port Allen.
