Group Conduct
The primary mission of the Office of Student Conduct is to foster personal development and maintain community standards by providing an educational student conduct process. Student clubs and organizations are intended to provide a framework in which students engage in hands-on experiences in civic engagement, leadership, social responsibility, and build on personal values. Student experiences should complete their academic endeavors and solidify career aspirations. As such, West Chester University expects its student clubs, organizations, and athletic teams to uphold the University’s values and to foster and support an educational community.
Organizations that do not promote and practice these values and maintain respect, health, and safety standards for their members and the University community at large, will not be welcome on campus. Student organizations that are alleged to engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in the issuance of violations of University expectations have rights to process. The details are included in the Student Code of Conduct. Student groups, as well as their members and leaders, may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations of the Student Code of Conduct or other University policies. It is the responsibility of the group’s student president, leader, or designee to represent the group through the conduct process.
How to Refer a Concern about a Group Activity
Please use this to report a violation of organizational, ethical, hazing, harassment, and/or group Code of Conduct violation. The information entered will be sent to the Office of Student Conduct. This team will assess next steps based on concerns for the people involved and concerns for the safety of the community. The students involved may be contacted to assess needs for resources and the accused organization will be contacted if and when an investigation has been approved. The information in this form will be kept as confidential as possible and only shared with those who need to know.
Rams Take Care of Rams: Safe Harbor Immunity
To encourage immediate medical attention when necessary, an individual shall not be prosecuted for an offense if the individual meets certain conditions. Such conditions include being the first individual to reach out to emergency services; reasonably believing the individual needed immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious bodily injury; identifying themselves with their own name, and remaining with the person until emergency services personnel have arrived. This is a summary and specific details should be reviewed at 18 Pa. C.S.A. §2810.
Group Hazing Report updated 8/1/24
West Chester University is committed to creating and maintaining a campus environment where safety, health, and well-being are priorities for all. The following details reported hazing violations of the institution’s Anti-Hazing Policy, along with applicable state, or federal hazing laws. This report will be updated biannually in accordance with statutory requirements.
Group Hazing Report
Last Updated: 8/1/24
| Subject [Organization] | Date Violation Charged | Description of Violation | Investigation Findings | Disciplinary Action/Sanctions | Date Resolved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Golf Team | 12/13/2023 | Allegations of a violation of West Chester University’s Anti-Hazing Policy were brought forth to the University by a former West Chester University student and their parents. | The University commenced a formal investigation with an outside consultant. After interviews of past and present team members, coaches and staff, the investigator was unable to substantiate the complaint as a policy violation. |
|
4/25/2023 |
| Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc | 4/6/2023 | It was reported anonymously that members were physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive to new members. | An inquiry with the group leadership noted a disenfranchised member. None of the activities reported supported a violation of hazing. | As a result of the inquiry, no disciplinary action was taken, however staff followed up on mediation to address the concerns. | 4/12/2023 |
| Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia | 2/13/2023 | It was reported that Phi Mu Alpha has been hazing their new members throughout their new member process. | An all member meeting was held that resulted in students admitting to some of the hazing behaviors. Given multiple allegations were received from non-involved students, the group was interimly suspended while an action plan was created to address the hazing behavior. | The interim suspension action was withdrawn when the group completed its revision process. Further organizational development and intervention will continue with increased oversight through the 2023-2024 academic year. | 4/13/2023 |
| Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc | 10/17/2022 | It was reported that members of Sigma Gamma Rho were hazing their incoming members. It was reported anonymously that they are physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive and hit and go through incoming members phones. | The preliminary investigation did not support a violation of hazing. | As a result, no disciplinary action was taken. | 12/22/2022 |
| Tau Kappa Epsilon | 10/11/2022 | It was reported that TKE Brothers made pledges dress up costumes for their homecoming party and required them to work the party. | None of the activities reported supported a violation of hazing. | As a result of the inquiry, no disciplinary action was taken, however staff followed up on utilizing better group bonding practices. | 10/13/2022 |
|
Phi Beta Sigma |
3/11/2022 | It was alleged by a student that they were subject to coercion and force by members who intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly acted with the purpose of initiating them into the organization. |
Based on the investigation of the new member process, there was insufficient information to determine whether or not the group was involved in hazing activities. |
The group was placed on interim suspension during the time of the investigation. The interim suspension action was withdrawn at the conclusion of the investigation. |
3/24/2022 |
|
Pi Kappa Phi |
3/6/2022 | It was reported that this group recruited and hazed members despite the group's lack of affiliation with the University and it's national organization suspension. |
Notice of the allegation was sent to the national organization as well as the previous group leadership, who remained enrolled at the University. |
Since this organization is no longer affiliated with West Chester University, disciplinary actions could not be taken. |
3/30/2022 |
|
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia |
2/11/2022 | This report was received and referenced a previous incident that was reported on 2/20/2021. |
A second investigation into the same matter was conducted and no additional information was found to substantiate the allegations. |
As a result, no action was taken. |
4/27/2022 |
|
Kappa Kappa Psi |
1/14/2022 | An anonymous report was received from an alleged new member who said that the process was impacting their mental health. |
None of the activities reported supported a violation of hazing. |
As a result of the inquiry, no action was taken. |
2/21/2022 |
|
Delta Phi Epsilon |
12/15/2021 | An anonymous report was received alleging that a member had to choose between snorting cocaine or performing a sex act. |
The preliminary investigation did not support the allegation. |
As a result of the preliminary investigation, no action was taken. |
3/21/2022 |
|
Sigma Chi |
10/14/2021 | The property owner of an off campus residence reported suspicious activity at a house they suspected was associated with the fraternity. |
Based on the investigation of the new member process, there was insufficient information to determine whether or not the group was involved in hazing activities. |
As a result of the investigation, no action was taken. |
11/19/2021 |
|
Pi Kappa Phi |
9/28/2021 | An anonymous report was received that alleged the group, which is no longer affiliated with the University, was recruiting members and subjecting them to a dangerous pledge process. |
This report was immediately forwarded to the West Chester Borough Police and the National Organization for investigation. |
As a result, no action was taken. |
10/15/2021 |
|
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia |
2/20/21 | An anonymous report was received from an alleged new member who said that the process was impacting their mental health. |
None of the activities reported supported a violation of hazing. |
As a result of the investigation, no action was taken. |
4/21/21 |
|
Alpha Phi |
1/29/21 | An anonymous report was received from an alleged student who said that the new member process required women to take cocaine or perform a sex act. |
New members and sorority leadership participated in an investigation regarding this allegation. The hazing and sexual exploitation allegations were unfounded. |
While an investigation was conducted the group was placed on interim suspension. The interim suspension action was withdrawn at the conclusion of the investigation. |
2/18/21 |
|
Sigma Phi Epsilon |
9/23/20 | Seven members of Sigma Phi Epsilon were seen allegedly participating in a new member outdoor activity. |
None of the activities reported supported a violation of hazing. |
As a result of the investigation, no action was taken. |
10/15/20 |
|
Omega Psi Phi |
3/17/20 | The University received an anonymous report which indicated that the reporter heard from a nearby parking lot a paddle used for spanking accompanied by yelling from the off-campus house. |
On the evening in question, the house hosted a celebratory event with alums, not related to intake and someone could have mistaken the noise. |
While an investigation was conducted, the allegations could not be substantiated by the chapter president, tenants, nor regional membership. |
3/29/20 |
|
Pi Kappa Alpha |
11/11/2019 | The University received a credible report that the new members were engaged in back to back activities over the weekend which allegedly led to sleep deprivation. |
During the investigation, it was reported that the students were not mandated to participate in all activities as alleged. |
While an investigation was conducted the group was placed on interim suspension. The interim suspension action was withdrawn when the activities were found to be voluntary. |
11/13/2019 |
|
Lambda Theta Alpha |
11/1/2019 | It was alleged that the new member process involved intentional verbal harassment which may have constituted hazing. |
The investigation did not support the alleged hazing violation. |
As a result, no action was taken. |
11/15/2019 |
|
Pi Kappa Phi |
10/30/2019 | Five of the new class members were soliciting in the residence hall for a fundraiser in Philadelphia. |
The Hazing allegation was unfounded as a result of the investigation. |
The group faced disciplinary sanctions for the non-hazing related actions. |
11/18/2019 |