National Chapter Suspends FIU's Pi Kappa Alpha
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A fraternity at Florida International University, after posting racy messages on social media depicting sex, drugs and vandalism, has been suspended by National Fraternity Headquarters.
The board of directors of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity have voted to immediately suspend FIU's chapter of the fraternity, also known as Pikes.
Allegations against FIU'S Pike fraternity members include the distribution of marijuana cookies and prescription medications like Adderall, along with the posting of photos depicting naked women, some of them reportedly underage.
On Friday, FIU President Mark Rosenberg addressed the issue at a closed-door meeting with leaders of Greek organizations.
"The Facebook posts disgusted me, angered me, and saddened me," he said in a statement to those in attendance.
Rosenberg said the activities were "unbecoming" of FIU students.
"The behavior clearly crosses the line in terms of the values that the university does espouse," Rosenberg told CBS 4's Lauren Pastrana.
The posts, according to the Pi Kappa Alpha Supreme Council, violated fraternity standards.
In addition, the members with any links to illegal or illicit activities could possibly be expelled from the frat, according to the release. The International Fraternity will work with FIU and police to hold any individuals accountable "to the fullest extent of the law," the statement said.
The suspension means FIU's chapter can no longer operate in the name of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, which includes using any of the frat's names, symbols or signage.
"The behavior displayed is disgraceful, offensive and indefensible," said Executive Vice President Justin A. Buck in a statement adding, "It is clear these individuals never had any concept of what Pi Kappa Alpha stands for."
The International Fraternity, in Buck's statement, publically apologized on behalf of FIU's Kappa Gamma Chapter.
On Friday, fraternities and sororities met at FIU's campus to talk about the affects of the alleged actions and suspension of Pi Kappa Alpha may have on the college's Greek life.
David Neighbors, a freshman at FIU, was looking forward to joining a fraternity. He is shocked and disappointed by the Pikes' actions.
"I've known people in fraternities and the Pikes actions sends the wrong message about what frats are all about," said Neighbors.
This week, an anonymous email was sent to CBS4 News which included about 70 attachments claiming to be screen grabs of conversations from the Pike's private Facebook page.
While some people are shocked, others said it's merely just a glimpse at college life.
"You guys are just getting a college view of things. That stuff always goes on," said FIU student Jaren Byrom.
The email sent to CBS4 also had details about hazing allegations.
It was move-in day for many college parents giving many parents the opportunity for a tough talk.
"Me, being from a sorority as kids, keeping them focused and make sure they understand the pluses of it and also the downside," said Lametrius Byrom.
"Know people first don't trust everyone," said Victor Lopez, another father on FIU's campus.
The incident is not the first time the fraternity has been in trouble on a South Florida campus.
Similar allegations forced the chapter at the University of Miami to suspend its operations and won't be fully reinstated there until the spring of 2014.
At FIU, President Rosenberg said the Pi Kappa Alpha organization would no longer be part of the university.
When asked if the fraternity would ever be welcome at FIU again, he said, "Right now, I have difficulty foreseeing that possibility."
