May 19, 2013
Tallahassee, FL - October 25, 2012 - On October 15, 2012, The Tallahassee Police Department received an alleged hazing case, which possibly involved the FAMU sorority- Kappa Psi Psi Professional Sorority.
The incident was reported via a Florida A&M University (FAMU) online hazing reporting site and was reported to have occurred within Tallahassee city limits. The complaint alleged
prospective members were “forced to stand in place for long periods of time” and also “endure strenuous physical activities.”
Further investigation was conducted by the Tallahassee Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division. A sorority with that specific name was not identified and details of the complaint indicated the report was identifying Kappa Psi Psi Healthcare Sorority
Inc.
Based on the investigation, TPD did not find any allegations of hazing, the actions reported did not meet the statutory requirements for a criminal hazing case and the case was classified as “unfounded.” The information was forwarded to authorities at FAMU PD for possible violations of University rules and policies
Tallahassee, FL - October 19, 2012 - Another organization at FAMU is on "inactive status" because of hazing allegations.
This, within a week of a business fraternity being suspended by the university and its national chapter.
The health care sorority at FAMU is now suspended. This came out today, the same day that the Tallahassee Police Department announced it has closed two other hazing cases.
While those cases are closed, students say the problem still isn't going away.
Kappa Psi Psi, a professional health care sorority at FAMU, has been suspended.
Aspen Brown, FAMU Student, reacts by stating, "I'm surprised."
University administrators say the complaint is the first formal allegation of hazing reported to the university's anti-hazing website since it was brought online in September 2012.
FAMU says the complaint said that Kappa Psi Psi pledges were required to stand in place for hours at a time and humiliated while being forced to perform impossible tasks.
It reportedly took place off-campus on October 4.
Aspen Brown, FAMU Student, said, "I would think that they would actually be doing a lot to stay away from the hazing being that the school is really, really enforcing the hazing issue. I would think that they would do their best to stay away from that."
The suspension comes on the heels of Alpha Kappa Psi's suspension.
Tallahassee Police say there were complaints that members of the business fraternity yelled and cursed at pledges during an off-campus meeting on October 11th.
Shanice Stan, FAMU Student, stated, "There are many organizations out here that haze and that they don't know about. It's just two organizations that actually got caught. So, I don't think that them doing anything about it is going to change anything."
TPD also investigated a hazing complaint against FAMU's G-Phi Step team, involving possible late night and extended step practices resulting in sleep deprivation.
Shanice Stan, FAMU Student, "that's what organizations do and that's what they're going to keep doing no matter what."
Again, TPD has closed the Alpha Kappa Psi case and the G-Phi Step Team case saying that based on the investigation, the actions reported did not meet the statutory requirements for a criminal hazing case and the cases were unfounded.
Officers have turned the information over to FAMU Police for possible violations of University rules and policies.
Tallahassee, FL - FAMU’s new anti-hazing website has yielded its first report of an alleged hazing incident, leading to the Kappa Psi Psi Professional Sorority being placed on “inactive status.”
FAMU Interim President Dr. Larry Robinson said the status was imposed today, pending an investigation. The complaint made to www.stophazingatfamu.com alleged that Kappa Psi Psi pledges were required to stand in place for hours at a time and humiliated while being forced to perform impossible tasks. The incident allegedly took place at an off-campus location on October 4.
This is the first formal allegation of hazing reported to the website since it was brought online in September.
Because the alleged incident took place off campus, FAMU Interim Police Chief John Earst has referred the matter to the Tallahassee Police Department. FAMU Police will collaborate with the TPD on the investigation, Robinson said.
"We are relentless in our effort to stop hazing on the campus of Florida A&M,” said FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson. ”As with any alleged incident that is brought to our attention, we are going to investigate and take appropriate action. I am pleased that our campus community and those with a vested interest in ending hazing are taking advantage of our anti-hazing website to safely and securely report incidents. Our message to individuals about taking personal responsibility for ending hazing is startingto resonate and motivate parents, students and faculty to join us in our effort to stop hazing at FAMU.”
Anyone can report hazing incidents on the FAMU campus, or involving FAMU students, by logging on to www.stophazingatfamu.com. The website is part of FAMU’s broader ongoing efforts to eradicate hazing on campus and educate students, faculty, alumni and others about the dangers of hazing.
