MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upon notice on December 17, 2012 that 22 members of the Eta Nu Chapter had been served arrest warrants, the International Fraternity's Executive Vice President Justin Buck issued the following release:
"The International Fraternity's thoughts and prayers remain with the family, friends, and all of those affected by this horrible tragedy. This is yet one more unfortunate example of an ill conceived and unauthorized activity involving alcohol and potentially hazing, which could have been avoided. The International Fraternity remains steadfast in its commitment to working with Universities, its members, and other stakeholders in combating these issues affecting our young people today."
"On an annual basis, the Fraternity provides educational and leadership training to over 3500 undergraduates on numerous topics including substance abuse and hazing prevention. Moreover, it sponsors such programs as the hazing prevention hotline, Hazingprevention.org, and the Responsibility Project."
"The International Fraternity maintains strict Standards with respect to alcohol and hazing and does not condone the activities which have been alleged. Furthermore, the Fraternity's Ritual and Initiation ceremonies do not nor have they ever involved alcohol or hazing. Any information indicating otherwise is not a reference to a Fraternity Ritual but may represent some type of locally-developed, informal activity. It is these local activities which stray from the Fraternity's mission and values, and can create dangerous environments for young people."
"The Fraternity acknowledges that these are only charges at this time; however, it does not support the illegal decisions or actions of individual members or chapters. Moreover, it will cooperate in the legal pursuit of any individual who may have broken any local, state, or federal law."
"At this time the Eta Nu Chapter remains administratively suspended and the International Fraternity reserves the right to suspend individual members or take more permanent action against the Chapter's charter in accordance with its policies and procedures as the investigation continues."
The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity was founded at the University of Virginia in 1868 and has grown to an international brotherhood composed of more than 250,000 members, 225 chapters and 150 alumni associations. Pi Kappa Alpha has maintained the largest average chapter size of any inter/national fraternity for most of the past 20 years, and through its members has donated millions of hours and dollars to philanthropic causes and community organizations across North America. Pi Kappa Alpha's mission is to "develop men of integrity, intellect, and high moral character and to fostering a truly lifelong fraternal experience."
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