Two fraternities suspended, under investigation for violating hazing policies

This is an ongoing investigation. Last update: Oct. 21, 2026, 2:29 a.m.

Troy University has taken action against two fraternities following separate hazing allegations, suspending its Pi Kappa Phi chapter after an investigation and issuing a cease-and-desist directive to Delta Kappa Epsilon while allegations involving new members remain under review.

The university suspended Pi Kappa Phi’s Gamma Gamma chapter on Oct. 14 following an investigation that found violations of university and national fraternity policies involving hazing. 

According to a university statement, the chapter’s operations and activities have ceased, and its fraternity house must be vacated by Oct. 26. The chapter will not be eligible to return to campus until fall 2029.

Separately, Troy issued a cease-and-desist directive to its Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) chapter on Oct. 7 following allegations of possible hazing involving new members. The directive prohibits all chapter activities while the university and the national organization investigate.

The university has not publicly announced findings against DKE, and the allegations remain under investigation.

However, according to a statement provided by Matt Clower, Troy University’s senior director of communications, Pi Kappa Phi’s Gamma Gamma chapter was found to have violated university policies and the national organization’s policies on hazing new members.

“The Pi Kappa Phi chapter at Troy University has been suspended, effective immediately, following an investigation into hazing,” Clower said in a statement.

The university will assist students living in the fraternity house with relocating to other campus housing as needed.

Herb Reeves, dean of student services at Troy University, said the chapter’s conduct did not meet the university’s expectations for Greek organizations.

“Troy University values Greek organizations, but we expect them to operate within the guidelines set by the University and their national organizations,” Reeves said. “The chapter’s actions were inconsistent with the standards and values of both the University and the fraternity and could have harmed those involved.”

According to a police report obtained by The Tropolitan, police and emergency medical services responded to an incident at the Pi Kappa Phi house on Fraternity Circle on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 11:07 p.m. Officers found a 22-year-old white male who needed medical care.

The student was transported to Troy Regional Medical Center for treatment and released the next day. The investigation was concluded, and evidence was turned over to Student Services for disciplinary action. 

Details of the alleged hazing and the circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately available.

The Gamma Gamma chapter was founded in 1964 with 24 men and is recognized as the oldest social fraternity on Troy University’s campus.

The chapter’s suspension is not the only recent hazing-related action involving a Troy fraternity. The university also restricted Delta Kappa Epsilon’s activities while it reviews allegations involving new members.

In an email to The Tropolitan, Clower said the university issued a cease-and-desist directive to the campus DKE chapter on Oct. 7. He said the directive prohibits all chapter activities pending the university’s review.

The allegations remain under investigation by the Office of Student Services and the national organization.

“The University takes all reports of hazing seriously and is committed to the safety and well-being of its students,” Clower said.

The university has not provided further details about the DKE allegations, announced findings or said if the chapter faces additional disciplinary action.

On the other hand, the Pi Kappa Phi suspension also brings renewed attention to the chapter’s history of reported hazing incidents. 

In a previously reported incident in 2013, a pledging member was found tied to a tree after being pelted with eggs and dirt. At the time, the university and national fraternity suspended the chapter.

Troy University’s student handbook, The Oracle, prohibits hazing and defines it as conduct that endangers students’ emotional, mental, financial or physical health or safety, or damages property, for purposes including initiation, admission, affiliation or continued membership in an organization.

The handbook also prohibits acts intended to cause or that actually cause physical discomfort, embarrassment or ridicule as part of those purposes.

Under Alabama law, hazing is a criminal offense. Those convicted of hazing are guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

The Tropolitan asked five Pi Kappa Phi members to comment on the chapter’s suspension. All five declined to comment.

The Tropolitan has reached out to Troy University’s Pi Kappa Phi president, other fraternity members, witnesses to the reported incident, Delta Kappa Epsilon representatives and both national organization for comment. Responses were pending at the time of publication.

The university has not publicly provided further details about the Pi Kappa Phi investigation beyond the policy violations described in Clower’s statement. Details of the alleged conduct that prompted either fraternity’s investigation also remain unavailable.