Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity suspended following violations of fraternity standards

The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (PKA) chapter at MSU was placed on interim suspension on Oct. 10 after violations of university policies including hard alcohol usage, hazing and bystanding following two reports of sexual assault at the fraternity on Sept. 22.  

On Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m., a Timely Warning for sexual assault was sent out by the MSU Police to the campus. The release read: “Montana State University received two reports of sexual assault at the PKA Fraternity on Friday, September 22, 2023. Other than the location, these two incidents appear unrelated and do not involve any of the same individuals.“

However, on Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m., a Public Safety Advisory (PSA) was sent out by MSU. Detailed in the release, MSU states that since the Sept. 28 Timely Warning, “the University has received new information alleging that Pi Kappa Alpha violated University policies on the evening of October 6, 2023. These alleged violations include hard alcohol usage, hazing and bystanding, resulting in a concern for student safety.”

According to MSU spokesperson Mike Becker in a statement to the Exponent on Oct. 27, MSU has placed PKA on interim suspension. This includes requirements that the house is alcohol-free, according to MSU’s PSA on Oct. 12. 

The national PKA headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee also took administrative action. In an Oct. 12 letter to the MSU chapter of PKA from Executive Vice President of the national PKA Foundation Justin Buck, the national headquarters placed the MSU chapter under administrative suspension per PKA Supreme Council Policies. The letter stated that along with prohibiting the hosting of social events, the chapter will not be able to coordinate or facilitate new member activities. This administrative suspension followed the interim suspension the University placed on PKA on Oct. 10. 

The policies as stated in the Oct. 12 letter included that the allegations entail activities that could potentially be in violation of fraternity standards. These standards, which were outlined in the letter, covered alcohol and drug use, number of drinks per guest and hazing policies. 

According to Buck's letter to the PKA chapter on Oct. 12, the administrative charter suspension will remain in effect for no more than 30 days. At this time, a decision will be made regarding the permanent status of the MSU chapter’s charter. A fraternity's charter is a document that states the creation of a local chapter that is affiliated with a certain university, according to the fraternity and sorority life terminology of the University of South Carolina Upstate. Based on this information, a decision about PKA’s suspension and status will be made in mid-November.

Becker also said in his Oct. 27 statement that the fraternity does not have an active criminal investigation involving the incidents reported. He added that if a formal investigation occurs it will be dependent on whether the reporting party wishes to pursue an investigation.

“When a student reports to any Title IX office — such as our Office of Institutional Equity — on any campus in the Montana University System, that does not automatically trigger a criminal investigation,” Becker said. “Reports made to the police are treated as criminal complaints. Reports made under Title IX are treated as Title IX complaints and are only elevated to criminal investigation with the explicit permission of the complaint.” 

The Interfraternity Council – a self-governing body that represents the fraternities at MSU – declined to comment on the suspension and its relation to the council. The Pi Kappa Alpha Chapter at MSU also could not be reached for comment. 

Both in their advisory emails and per Becker’s statement, MSU reiterated that its top priority is the safety and well-being of all members of the campus community and provided a list of resources at the end of each alert.  “MSU takes all reports of sexual assault and violence very seriously,” Becker said. 

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Assault of any kind is never the fault of the survivor. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault or rape, resources are available to help.

University Police:

If you or someone you know is a survivor of a sexual assault or any other crime, call UP at (406) 994-2121 or 911 in an emergency. Anonymous reports to law enforcement can also be made to MSU’s Silent Witness Program by emailing silentwitness@montana.edu or through the SafeCats app.

The MSU VOICE Center:

According to its website, the MSU VOICE Center provides free and confidential services and information for all people impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and harassment and provides confidential support and information. Advocates are available 24/7 and can be reached via call or text at (406) 944-7069. The Voice Center is located in SUB 370 and can be found online at https://www.montana.edu/voice/.

Other resources include MSU Counseling & Psychological Services, the Dean of Students CARE Program, the Women's Center, the Office of Institutional Equity and the Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons (DISC). For anyone experiencing immediate distress or crisis, call or text 988 for 24/7 access to the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline helpline.