The national chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity launched an investigation Monday into its West Virginia University chapter after an email was sent out alleging multiple incidents of hazing.
The email was sent at 10:30 a.m. Monday to Kappa Sigma's national chapter, University Police, Student Organizations Services, Morgantown Police and The Daily Athenaeum. The email's sender said he had first-hand knowledge of multiple hazing violations Kappa Sigma members committed.
By midday, its national chapter opened an investigation, said Mitchell Wilson, Kappa Sigma executive director. The investigation will be complete within 14 days, he said.
"Basically the investigation consists of us reviewing the chapter's activities during the course of this pledge period and just reviewing where they are in general in regards to what's been alleged," Wilson said.
Student Organizations Services and University Police also launched a search to find the sender to confirm the allegations.
By 8 p.m. Monday, the sender responded to the same addresses. He said his email account was hacked.
"Various accounts, including this email account, have sent emails to various people without my consent. Please disregard all information as I cannot be sure of the validity," the sender said in the email.
The sender refused to release his name but identified himself as a Kappa Sigma pledge member.
"A pledge that was kicked out for drug abuse had my password saved on his computer and wrote several emails to different people," the sender said in the email. "I have read the email he sent, and none of what he said is true."
President of WVU's Sigma Kappa fraternity Keith Salnick said he was not aware of any investigation, and Kappa Sigma members have never participated in hazing of any kind. He also said no pledge was kicked out for drug abuse.
"It's a little sketchy because the back and forth doesn't seem credible," Salnick said.
Director of Student Organizations Services Ron
Justice said the University has to report all instances of hazing to national chapters as well as look into it themselves.
He said the University does not immediately start
pointing fingers when it receives an anonymous tip.
The University has run into situations before in which rival fraternities allege hazing to incite trouble.
University Police Chief Bob Roberts said he would also stop looking for the person who sent the email because the sender said it was the result of hacking.
He said UPD was making
efforts to contact the person as well so he can identify himself because Roberts can't launch a police investigation without the name of the person making the allegations.
Kappa Sigma's National Headquarters could not be recontacted at press time to determine if they would continue the investigation.
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