The University of Pittsburgh has suspended a sorority while a possible off-campus hazing incident involving a dozen pledges and a paddle is being investigated by Penn Hills and university police, officials confirmed Wednesday.
The sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, will remain under sanction until further notice, Pitt officials said.
Based on an initial report, Penn Hills police said a dozen pledges were taken to a residence in that community last Wednesday and again on Friday. One or more of the women may have been subjected to hazing, "possibly involving a paddle," Police Chief Howard Burton said.
"They were then taken back to their dorms in Oakland," he explained. Pitt police so far have taken statements from five of the pledges.
The incident came to light after a Philadelphia woman visiting her daughter on campus last weekend noticed bruising on the daughter and inquired about it.
"The mother came into our police station with her daughter on Monday, along with 11 other young ladies," the chief said. "Some are reluctant to talk about it."
Police have not identified the residence, nor did they provide further details of what transpired, saying they are awaiting statements from the women to help sort out events. Pitt said the sorority does not have its own house.
Representatives for the campus chapter and for the sorority's international headquarters in Chicago could not immediately be reached Wednesday.
Chief Burton said the mother and her daughter both said the daughter had bruising. He could not say if or how many of the others were bruised but expects to receive photos.
"We're still in the very beginning of our investigation," he said.
Pitt said it is working closely with Penn Hills police and reiterated its stance on hazing within campus organizations.
"The University rejects hazing and intimidation of any kind — and in all circumstances," a statement released by Pitt spokesman Kevin Zwick said. "Such actions run in stark contrast to our core values as an institution."
A number of recent hazing and drinking incidents involving fraternities, some of them fatal, have focused national attention on how schools regulate Greek Life conduct.
Pitt Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kenyon Bonner, in an email to campus, said the university will look anew at Greek life in light of the incident. An alcohol ban already had been imposed across the system last month under what Pitt called "modified social probation" after a student too young to legally consume alcohol was hospitalized for excessive drinking during a fraternity recruiting event.
Pitt said the student drank voluntarily and campus police in that case found no evidence of criminal hazing.
The fraternity, Sigma Chi, was suspended. City police are investigating that incident and campus judicial review is underway.
"Hazing is destructive, demeaning, and demoralizing and has no place on our campus, Mr. Bonner wrote after this latest incident. "Any student found responsible for hazing, regardless of the severity, could be dismissed from the University. Should this occur, the dismissed student can never return to any University of Pittsburgh campus.
"Student organizations found responsible for hazing will face similar consequences, including permanent termination of recognition on our campus," he added.
He said that, "based on this incident, the Division of Student Affairs will reevaluate the next steps regarding the future of fraternity and sorority life at Pitt. In the meantime, the modified social probation will remain in effect."
Bill Schackner: bschackner@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1977 and on Twitter: @Bschackner.
First Published: February 28, 2018, 6:27 p.m.