The university has suspended indefinitely Galaxy and Gamma Sigma Phi and is investigating both fraternities for incidents of potential hazing that took place during pledging in January.
“Hazing is illegal, against our student code of conduct, and we do not tolerate it,” wrote Dr. Tamara Long, vice president for enrollment and student life, in an email to all members of both clubs.
All members later were informed intramural activities will still be permitted “during this time.”
“ACU takes allegations of hazing seriously, and action will be taken to ensure hazing is not part of ACU’s culture,” Long said. “Fraternities exist to create a brotherhood, and there is no place for hazing in any brotherhood – especially one professing to represent ACU and Christ.”
The investigation will be conducted by a committee of five administrators:
- Dr. Tamara Long
- Slade Sullivan, vice president and general counsel
- Dr. Ryan Richardson, associate vice president for student life
- Robin McPherson, senior coordinator for fraternities and sororities
- Mark Lewis, dean of students.
The representatives are expected to contact individual students to arrange interviews, and the goal is to conduct the investigation “within two weeks” and implement possible sanctions to individuals and/or listed fraternities.
Clayton Cooper, president of Galaxy and senior biology major from Sugar Land, declined to comment on the suspension and investigation.
Nolan Burke, president of GSP and senior psychology major from Tuscola, has not responded to an interview request.
