Fraternity chapter shuts down following hazing allegation

Celeste Chance, Contributing Writer

A fraternity is shutting down its VCU chapter months after it was accused of hazing.

University police investigated the Alpha Kappa Lambda chapter after receiving a report of hazing in early October, according to university spokesperson Michael Porter. The incident took place between Sept. 27 and 30 at the fraternity’s houses on the 1300 block of West Cary Street.

Fraternity members were “uncooperative” during the investigation, Porter said, and police did not find enough evidence to substantiate the report and issue criminal charges. The investigation is now inactive, but not closed.

The VCU chapter denied any wrongdoing in a message from its Facebook page Thursday.

“Didn’t happen,” the message read, “even the investigating officer found the allegations to be uncorroborated and unsubstantiated.”

“We as a chapter were kept in the dark during the whole investigation,” the chapter stated in a Facebook message to the Richmond Times-Dispatch Wednesday. “Once it was concluded, we were not given any information other than the accusation.”

VCU Student Affairs and AKL’s national headquarters discussed pursuing disciplinary action against the fraternity, Porter said. The AKL headquarters told VCU in December that it had revoked its charter at VCU’s chapter for four years following the incident.

Greek organizations need a charter to be be recognized by the university as a registered student organization.