LSU fraternity suspended until 2018: Reports of severe hazing

Louisiana State University’s chapter of the Acacia fraternity has been suspended from the campus as a result of actions of hazing that occurred in the fall of 2014. University officials have confirmed that pledges were forced to consume alcohol, endure physical violence and perform strenuous physical activities.
Acacia’s Executive Director Patrick McGovern released a written statement that said the fraternity is closing due to “violations of standards and policies, specifically related to treatment of new members.”
Hazing activities included forcing prospects to stand in a hot steam environment for an extended period of time and forbidding pledges from eating during their week of initiation. LSU also determined that pledges were also expected to live in the fraternity house during this week, causing extreme mental stress. During a visit to Auburn University, members of Acacia forced pledges to commit acts of thievery. In the university’s letter notifying the fraternity of its investigation, the thefts included “several high value items from a tailgate and a fraternity composite” from an Auburn fraternity house.
LSU’s Tiger TV interviewed a student who claims to have been a victim of the hazing. The student stated that pledges weren’t allowed to eat, change clothes or leave the fraternity house unless they were going to class.
“At one point during the first night, they took us upstairs and said this was the last meal of this week,” revealed the student. “It was a tarp laid out with dog food and other rotten food and we were all forced to eat it until it was gone,” said the student. Reportedly, the student emailed Associate Director of Greek Life Jonathan Sanders in December of 2014.
“Hazing is not tolerated at LSU,” said LSU President F. King Alexander. “We have taken swift action to deal with this matter and suspend the fraternity until at least 2018. I hope this sends a very strong message to all of our students who participate in Greek Life activities. This behavior is absolutely unacceptable,” finished Alexander.
Acacia is not allowed to host any on or off campus events in the name of its undergraduate chapter, and those pledges and members from the 2014-15 roster are banned from the chapter when it is reinstated. According to the Office of Greek Life at LSU, the fraternity had 51 members and 43 recruits last fall.
Members residing in the fraternity house must vacate the building until June 20 of 2018.
To achieve reinstatement, the fraternity must meet with the Office of the Dean of Students to create a two-year enhancement plan to ensure the chapter’s integration back into the university Greek system.