Cal State Northridge pledge activities halted after new hazing allegations

NORTHRIDGE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- All fraternity and sorority pledge activities have been halted at California State University, Northridge after another possible hazing incident.

Campus sororities and fraternities learned of the cease-and-desist order Thursday night. The university said chapters that continue pledge activities will be immediately suspended.

"A week ago today we had a concern brought to our attention by a fraternity, and so we took immediate action to cause pledging within that particular fraternity to cease and desist," said Dr. William Watkins, vice president for student affairs and dean of students at CSUN.

Watkins says current pledges can be admitted. However, next semester: no pledging.

"The president and I decided to impose a cease-and-desist on all pledging for all clubs and organizations until we're able to really be convinced that they can undertake their induction activities without some concern about the well-being of our students," said Watkins.

The move follows an alleged hazing incident involving the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, according to Watkins. The fraternity has been placed on interim suspension by the university pending an investigation. It was also placed on administrative suspension by its national headquarters.

"CSUN takes hazing allegations extremely seriously, and we are deeply committed to protecting the health and safety of all students," Watkins said in a statement. "Following Armando Villa's tragic death while on a fraternity-sponsored hike in the Angeles National Forest, CSUN reviewed all applicable policies and procedures to ensure that the university's zero-tolerance policy on hazing is clearly understood and followed."

Villa, a 19-year-old CSUN student who was pledging a different fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, died July 1 in the Angeles National Forest, about 1 mile north of Vogel Flats. He lost consciousness after reportedly suffering from heat stroke. The university concluded his death was a hazing incident.

According to the school's investigation, fraternity Pi Kappa Phi's hazing events were similar to boot camps. On the day Villa died, several pledges, including Villa, were forced to wear tight shoes. In the end, they were dehydrated and suffering in the hot sun.