A Virginia Commonwealth University fraternity has been suspended two years for hazing, and a sorority has received a four-year punishment for using its group forum to buy and sell prescription pills. Two other student groups received interim suspensions after allegations of hazing were made against the fraternities.
VCU suspends fraternity for hazing, sorority for selling pills
Courtney White, president of Love Like Adam and cousin of Adam Oakes, speaks during a press conference at VCU on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
A Virginia Commonwealth University fraternity has been suspended two years for hazing, and a sorority has received a four-year punishment for using its group forum to buy and sell prescription pills.
Two other student groups received interim suspensions after allegations of hazing were made against the fraternities.
These represent the latest reports of misconduct among student groups, which universities are now required to publish.
Asked if any misconduct resulted in injuries or hospitalizations, Michael Porter, a spokesperson for VCU, did not specifically address the question.
Fraternity Delta Epsilon Mu was punished for psychological hazing, and sorority Phi Mu received a suspension for buying and selling prescription pills on a student communication app.
Two other fraternities, Kappa Delta Rho and Theta Chi, were accused of hazing and received temporary suspensions as the university investigates.
In 2021, Adam Oakes, a VCU student, died in a hazing incident at an off-campus house following a ceremony in which he met his big brother in the fraternity.
Adam’s Law, passed a year later, requires Virginia colleges to publish violations committed by student organizations, which is designed to give prospective members a better picture of the groups they are about to join.
Since Oakes died in 2021, VCU has suspended seven organizations for misconduct. The suspensions range from two years to permanent expulsion, which Oakes’ Delta Chi fraternity received.
A challenge for universities is that sometimes student groups will go underground and continue operating with no official connection to the university.
VCU said it has received one or more reports of student conduct violations from a group called the Rose Club, which is not a recognized student organization at VCU. A national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, said it has no affiliation with the Rose Club.
