LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Eastern Kentucky University has issued suspensions to three fraternities at its Richmond campus after investigations into hazing.
The Pi Kappa Alpha chapter will be suspended until January 2014, the Phi Delta Theta chapter will be suspended until August 2013 and the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter has been placed on a reduced activity schedule until August.
EKU spokesman Marc Whitt told The Lexington Herald-Leader that the university's hazing committee conducted interviews with the members of the three chapters and confirmed the hazing (http://bit.ly/ywvBTy ).
"The university has a very rigorous and thorough policy on hazing that pertains to both Greek and student organizations," Whitt said. "That policy has been in effect for several years."
According to documents from the investigation, new members of Pi Kappa Alpha were put through a "hazing week," during which they were given constant activities and suffered consequences if they failed to follow the orders. Some were told they would be left in a remote location to find their own way home.
The university said New Phi Delta Theta members were sent on a scavenger hunt that involved tasks like "shotgunning" a beer, getting a bar from a sorority member or catching a fish with their bare hands, with extra points if they ate the fish.
And the investigation found that in Lambda Chi Alpha, new members were yelled or screamed at if they couldn't complete tasks while also being questioned about fraternity history.
While under suspension, the fraternities can't hold meetings or stage events, although members can continue to live in fraternity dormitories.
Phone messages and emails left with the fraternities' national offices Saturday by The Associated Press weren't immediately returned.
