By Paige Orr, Fox23 News
UPDATE 1:30 p.m. — The Kappa Sigma Fraternity says operations at the University of Tulsa have been suspended pending an investigation. A message from the fraternity’s Executive Director, Brad Bailey, reads:
The Kappa Sigma Fraternity is aware of an alleged incident at the University of Tulsa involving our Epsilon-Mu Chapter. The operations of the Chapter are suspended pending an investigation. Given the ongoing nature of the information gathering process, it would be inappropriate to provide further comment at this time.
TULSA, Okla. — The University of Tulsa has launched an investigation into reports of hazing on campus after internal security logs revealed a raid at a fraternity house turned up weapons and drugs.
While the university is citing a “zero tolerance” policy, officials are currently declining to elaborate on the specifics of the investigation. In a statement provided to FOX23, the university said, “The University of Tulsa is investigating a report of hazing on campus. The university has clear processes in place to examine, evaluate and respond to reported incidents of inappropriate student behavior. We take this issue very seriously and have zero tolerance for hazing.”
Despite the lack of official details, an anonymous student close to the situation told our news partners at FOX23 via text that the fallout from the raid was immediate. The student said that operations at the house are currently at a standstill.
“Operations at K-Sig are suspended. They are not allowed to have alcohol inside the house or people over,” the student said. “They are not allowed to participate in any philanthropy events or intramural sports. Their spring formal has been cancelled.”
The university defines hazing as any act, forced or voluntary, that creates a risk of physical harm, mental harm, or humiliation. We reached out to the Kappa Sigma National Headquarters in Virginia three times for comment. A membership coordinator who oversees chapter discipline stated she could not answer any questions at this time.
For now, fraternity members at the University of Tulsa have reportedly been told not to speak with the media as the university conducts one-on-one interviews to determine the future of the chapter on campus.
We also reached out to multiple local alumni and parents to get their reaction to the weapons and drugs found in the house, but no one has been willing to go on the record.
The University of Tulsa says they have clear processes in place to evaluate student behavior and will continue to investigate the incident.
