A Louisiana Tech University fraternity has been suspended from recruiting through summer, and its members fined $80 each, because of a hazing accusation.
Former Kappa Alpha pledge Andy Cummings has said he was spit upon by fraternity members, submerged in water, sprayed with a hose, forced to eat a sandwich topped with smokeless tobacco and perform chores such as cleaning apartments. Cummings is the son of Bossier Parish Police Juror J. Brad Cummings.
A university panel determined that the allegations were credible and placed the chapter on administrative probation through spring 2006. Each fraternity member must also complete 30 hours of community service, sponsor anti-hazing presentations and revise the chapter's education program for new members.
Andy Cummings filed a complaint with Ruston police on Dec. 1, the date of the alleged incident.
Nine unnamed fraternity members suspended from the chapter at least through the fall quarter. Former chapter president Clayton Flurry of Shreveport faces a criminal charge of hazing.
The fraternity's national office issued similar penalties this week.
"It's amazing the top fraternity on campus finally got caught and punished properly," Brad Cummings said.
Dickie Crawford, dean of student life at Louisiana Tech, said the fraternity admitted to some form of each of the known allegations.
"I think it was fair," Crawford said of the committee's decision. "It's communicated by the committee and national office that we take hazing seriously and we won't tolerate it. We're echoing the strong stance the national organization has made."
Flurry and chapter President Cole Tucker declined comment Wednesday. Todd Shelton, spokesman for the fraternity's national office, said he was pleased with the results of the investigation.
- Associated Press
News and opinion for all the SigEp brotherhood. SigEp's "unofficial" blog.
