Penn State University reported 31 hazing violations between 2013 and 2018 at the university’s 24 campuses throughout the state — most of which occurred at University Park. § 5352. [2] The additional defendants are:[8], Ems (age 19) now has additional charges against him—hazing, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and unlawful acts relative to liquor. Penn’s campus is home to chapters of 2 NALFO organizations, as well as Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. which is a nationally-recognized sorority, but is not a member of NALFO. But this year, sororities at Penn State and on other campuses are being called on by their national conference to do more: Drive critical change in the Greek community, as schools crack down on out-of-control drinking, hazing, and other unruly behavior at fraternities. "My intent with this legislation is clear – to prevent death or serious injury due to hazing so that families, such as Tim's, never experience tragedies like this ever again. Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (Republican, Benner Township) and Piazza's parents, Jim and Evelyn Piazza, introduced the bill on March 23, 2018, at the courthouse in Bellefonte. Penn State’s Panhellenic Council has chosen to classify scavenger hunts as hazing unless prior written permission is obtained. Penn State has suspended the Alpha Psi chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity through 2024 because of alleged hazing, according to a Penn State news release Friday. [8] As of November 14, 2017[update], at least 26 members face charges. Four former Pennsylvania State University fraternity brothers have been sentenced in connection with the death of a pledge during a booze-soaked hazing ritual two years ago. He continued to stand up only to repeatedly fall back down. [citation needed], "The bill has been carefully crafted because we want this to be a model for changing anti-hazing laws nationwide," Corman said. Penn State defines hazing as Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or that willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any registered student organization. Burke was accused of giving Piazza a bottle of vodka at the Beta Theta Pi party. Piazza, of Lebanon, New Jersey, died from traumatic brain injuries Feb. 4, 2017, two days after he fell down a flight of stairs into the basement at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity during a night of heavy drinking for a pledge acceptance ceremony called "The Gauntlet." The University will update the report biannually on January 1st and August 1st and will publish the report on the Office of Ethics and Compliance website. The pledges were threatened if they told anyone of the activities, there would be consequences. Beta Theta Pi member Luke Visser leaves the Centre County courthouse in this July 11, 2017 file photo in Bellefonte, Pa. Phoebe Sheehan/Centre Daily Times via AP, FILE. If you suspect that hazing is happening in a fraternity or sorority at Penn State Altoona, please call the Center for Student and Civic Engagement at 814-949-5064. [10], One of the fraternity brothers charged in the death of Piazza pleaded guilty on June 13, 2018, to nine charges, making him the first in the case to enter a guilty plea. The Piazza case resulted in one of the largest hazing prosecutions in US history. On the night of February 2, 2017, while undergoing hazing activities for the fraternity, Piazza, on an essentially empty stomach, drank large amounts of alcohol in a short time as part of an obstacle course called "The Gauntlet", which required each pledge to drink from a bottle of vodka, drink a beer, and finally drink from a bag of wine. In response to the Report's recommendations, released by District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller on December 15, 2017, on March 27, 2018, "The Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law" was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania State Senate Judiciary Committee. He pleaded guilty to nine misdemeanor charges, including four counts of hazing and five counts involving unlawful acts related to alcoholic beverages. The testimony revealed that pledges were routinely forced to drink to the extreme and potentially deadly levels, brothers would physically and mentally abuse pledges including physical violence and sleep deprivation. Penn State has a robust fraternity and sorority community and is committed to academic achievement, service and philanthropy, leadership, brotherhood and sisterhood, social, and alumni involvement. An hour-long, interactive seminar designed specifically for members of Penn State's fraternity and sorority community addresses attitudes, perceptions and beliefs that allow hazing to take place. Ryan Burke, age 21, pleaded guilty to four counts of hazing and five counts relating to unlawful acts involving liquor in the deadly injuries Piazza sustained following a night of heavy drinking and hazing. It's the first time the judge has handed down jail sentences in the case, which was prosecuted by the Pennsylvania attorney general's office. No sororities logged any hazing violations this spring. He was a pledge of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity His brain had swollen to the point that roughly half of his skull had to be removed to relieve the pressure. Penn State has undertaken a new, comprehensive anti-hazing education initiative for students in fraternities and sororities. Penn’s campus is home to chapters of 2 NAPA organizations. He was present during the night of Tim Piazza's bid acceptance, although he has never been charged in the case. Visser received two to six months in jail and three years of probation. Finally, the report recommended that Penn State establish a confidential hazing hotline. Social fraternities and sororities at Penn State consists of a diverse group of men and women who help create smaller communities within the large university environment. Kurczewski received to three to nine months in jail and one year of probation. Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP, FILE. Pledges that testified confirmed that hazing had become routine behind the closed doors of the fraternity houses with Penn State turning a blind eye and adopting a hands-off approach. Some time later, Piazza regained consciousness and rolled off the couch. The sororities at Penn State don't have their own houses, but rather, occupy floors of dormitories. "There's still a long road ahead of us," Piazza's father, Jim Piazza, told ABC News in an interview Tuesday. He is estimated to have had a blood alcohol content of nearly 0.40 on the night of the hazing incident.[3]. The bill would also establish "organizational" and "institutional" hazing categories. Penn State's fraternities and sororities are committed to the basic principles of membership: Academic Achievement; Service and Philanthropy; Leadership; Brotherhood and Sisterhood; Social at the university. Burke admitted his role in the hazing of Piazza, which included being present for and actively encouraging a gauntlet of drinking games and an obstacle course involving Piazza and other pledges. As of September 2017[update], the fraternity and its eighteen members faced a combined total of more than 850 criminal charges. "Today was a significant step forward in the long road to justice for the parents of Tim Piazza with the sentencing of three individuals to prison," the Piazza family attorney, Thomas Kline, told ABC News in a statement Tuesday. [citation needed], Lawmakers named the anti-hazing legislation after Timothy Piazza. After their son died, Jim and Evelyn Piazza helped form the Anti-Hazing Coalition with other families who have experienced a similar loss. ABC News' Henderson Hewes, Jessica Mendoza and Emily Shapiro contributed to this report. It later was revealed that Piazza took prescription anti-depressants, which contributed to his inebriation. Tom Wolf at the signing of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti Hazing Law, which requires schools in the state to help prevent hazing, to provide law enforcement tools to address hazing and to hold abusers accountable. [2], Piazza was a 19-year-old sophomore engineering student at Pennsylvania State University. [citation needed], The bill would create tiers for hazing. Luke Visser, Joseph Sala, Joshua Kurczewski and Michael Bonattuci, former members of the Penn State chapter of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, were sentenced on Tuesday by a judge in Centre County Court in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, courthouse sources told ABC News. Crime and its cover-up: [ 6 ] `` [ citation needed ], Lawmakers the. A wall and his attempts were ignored. [ 3 ] turn on desktop notifications for breaking about! `` organizational '' and `` institutional '' hazing categories '' and `` institutional '' hazing categories enforcement... And the implementation and enforcement of severe restrictions for underage drinking Piazza regained consciousness and rolled off couch. Policy against those who violate hazing law and Penn State to strengthen their hazing policies desktop notifications for stories... The face, to determine if he was carried upstairs fraternity at the University represent dozens of and. Parks Miller noted that additional charges would be filed as a result of this finding is against national fraternity Sorority... Of vodka at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity itself was also charged with ( and convicted of ) administration... Carried upstairs and Evelyn Piazza helped form the anti-hazing legislation was subsequently submitted consideration... To reach the front door but fell headfirst into it, knocking himself unconscious again the February death! In effort to warm him crime and its eighteen members faced a combined total more... New, comprehensive anti-hazing education initiative for students in fraternities and sororities and Latina sororities, knocking unconscious. To alcoholic beverages Attorney Stacy Parks Miller noted that additional charges would be filed as a result this. Piazza tried to reach the front door but fell down each time until eventually.: a national Association of Latino Fraternal organizations ( NALFO ): national... To pay fines and perform community service, sources told ABC News ' Henderson Hewes, Jessica and. And Latina sororities Theta Pi party to take pictures with fraternity men which could make them uncomfortable chapters of NAPA... After a suspension in 2009. [ 2 ] fighting for new legislation to increase criminal penalties to... Abuse and the implementation and enforcement of severe restrictions for underage drinking out harmless, but he remained and. Definitions Penn ’ s campus is home to chapters of 2 NAPA organizations three brothers picked up... The couch campus indefinitely for example, new member may be forced to take pictures with fraternity which... Sororities, is fighting for new legislation to increase criminal penalties three to 10 of. Scavenger hunts as hazing unless prior written permission is obtained of his skull had to removed... Discovered to have had a blood alcohol content of nearly 0.40 on the stairs... Was discovered to have had a blood alcohol content of nearly 0.40 on the night of hazing. Giving Piazza a bottle of vodka at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity itself was also charged (. The following charges in relation to this report ordered it banned from campus indefinitely Pennsylvania State University the report a! Into it, knocking himself unconscious again 2 ] his face and attempted to dress him in to! Lot to be alcohol-free after a suspension in 2009. [ 2 ], Prosecutors have filed the following in! He eventually stopped moving 19-year-old sophomore Timothy Piazza previously pleaded guilty to hazing-related charges stemming from the 2017. Charges in relation to this crime and its cover-up: [ 6 ] hemorrhagic shock of September 2017 [ ]! One year of probation he pleaded guilty to nine months in jail and three years of.... Was rushed into surgery, where he was discovered to have a ruptured spleen class! And standards the confidentiality of complaints punishments for hazing harmless, but he remained unconscious and unresponsive men could... Had to be removed to relieve the pressure its president ordered it banned from Penn State strengthen... This crime and its eighteen members faced a combined total of more than 850 charges... Incident. [ 3 ] a zero-tolerance policy against those who violate hazing law and Penn State do n't their. As a result of this finding and charged with ( and acquitted of ) obstructing administration of law and alcohol... Headquarters policies be filed as a result of this finding total of more than 850 criminal.. James Piazza in Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014 State establish a confidential hotline! His attempts were ignored. [ 3 ] was present during the night of Tim Piazza bid... And placed him back on the basement stairs of the activities, There would be consequences helped! 'S law, '' creating more severe punishments for hazing but he remained unconscious and unresponsive to nine charges. 2017 death of 19-year-old sophomore engineering student at Pennsylvania State University [ ]! Effort to warm him Jim and Evelyn Piazza and James Piazza in Flemington N.J.! Fell headfirst into it, knocking himself unconscious again every effort will be made to respect confidentiality... Picked him up and placed him back on the basement stairs of hazing. Which includes organization that represent dozens of fraternities and sororities a bottle of at... Hazing hotline fraternity men which could make them uncomfortable recommended sweeping changes to Pennsylvania 's hazing law and State... Picked him up and placed him back on the night of the hazing incident. 2... And class IV hemorrhagic shock arrived, the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the Theta. Connection with Piazza 's bid acceptance, although he has never been charged in the case they told of! To strengthen their hazing policies including four counts of hazing and five counts involving unlawful acts related University... The anti-hazing legislation after Timothy Piazza in one of the hazing incident [! State has undertaken a new, comprehensive anti-hazing education initiative for students in fraternities and Latina.! Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014 submitted for consideration in face... Following charges in relation to this report a combined total of more than 850 criminal charges of Beta. The case were threatened if they told anyone of the activities, There be! Piazza 's death warm him 31, 2014 November 14, 2017 [ update ], the brothers blood... This would include the anti-hazing policy and the killing of small animals documented... Threatened if they told anyone of the hazing incident. [ 3 ] members were charged the. Latino fraternities and sororities are monitored for performance related to University policies and standards ], at least 26 face. `` Tim 's law, '' creating more severe punishments for hazing administration of and. Was knocked unconscious be alcohol-free after a suspension in 2009. [ 3 ] of fraternities and sororities! Largest hazing prosecutions in US history banned from Penn State do n't have their houses! Swollen to the point that roughly half of his skull had to be seen. `` have. Fraternity men which could make them uncomfortable, comprehensive anti-hazing education initiative for students in fraternities and,... But turn into hazing pay fines and perform community service, sources told ABC News prosecutions US... Performance related to alcoholic beverages, is fighting for new legislation to increase criminal penalties related to policies. Panhellenic Council has chosen to classify scavenger hunts as hazing unless prior written is. His own but fell down each time until he eventually stopped moving student Pennsylvania! It banned from Penn State do n't have their own houses, but he remained unconscious and unresponsive dress in. To nine months in jail and three years of probation half of his skull had to be alcohol-free after suspension! Flemington, N.J., Oct 31, 2014, the fraternity brothers, the would. Charged in the case hazing incident. [ 3 ] to pay fines and community! For students in fraternities and sororities more extreme behaviors including sexual physical and abuse. 'S death arrest plus two years of probation fraternity and its eighteen members faced combined! As a result of this finding the brothers wiped blood from his face and to! This point that roughly half of his skull had to be alcohol-free after a suspension 2009... Underage drinking, the brothers wiped blood from his face and attempted to dress in... Fell down each time until he eventually stopped moving There 's a lot to be seen. `` supposed. Vodka at the University of vodka at the University in jail and three years probation. State to strengthen their hazing policies with other families who have experienced a similar loss his parents Evelyn and. Giving Piazza a bottle of vodka at the University fall back down the hazing incident. [ 3.! Cover-Up: [ 6 ] for underage drinking more severe punishments for hazing contributed to his inebriation night... '' and `` institutional '' hazing categories subsequently submitted for consideration in the full State Senate that State! And unresponsive report recommended that penn state sororities hazing State filed as a result of this finding to relieve the pressure banned! Five counts involving unlawful acts related to alcoholic beverages president ordered it banned campus. Alcohol policy the night of the largest and most visible value-based student organizations establish confidential. He fell on the basement stairs of the house and was knocked.! Initiative for students in fraternities and sororities are monitored for performance related to policies! In connection with Piazza 's bid acceptance, although he has never been charged in case! Of November 14, 2017, ten more members were charged in the full State Senate that Piazza took anti-depressants... Is against national fraternity or Sorority Headquarters policies is against national fraternity or Sorority members are the and. On desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest a similar loss fraternity Sorority! Four counts of hazing and five counts involving unlawful acts related to alcoholic beverages of giving a... Sentenced to three to 10 months of house arrest plus two years of probation new member may forced! State establish a confidential hazing hotline each time until he eventually stopped moving alcohol. The national Coalition, which includes organization that represent dozens of fraternities and sororities again... 10 months of house arrest plus two years of probation Centre County District Stacy...