Hazing Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Second Fraternity Suspended By WVU This Year

West Virginia University has suspended a fraternity for allegations of hazing.

The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity was suspended by the university Tuesday evening for reported hazing incidents in violation of the Student Conduct Code.

The interim suspension went into effect immediately and prevents Pi Kappa Phi from all recruitment activities, as well as participating, organizing or attending social functions, among other restrictions.

Pi Kappa Phi was one of three fraternities sanctioned in March, receiving a disciplinary reprimand related to fighting.

This is the second fraternity suspended by the school this year for hazing after Delta Chi was suspended for three years in March.

WVU Suspends Fraternity Related To Hazing, Reprimands Three More

West Virginia University has suspended Delta Chi fraternity in connection with a hazing incident, the school said.

The fraternity’s international headquarters also removed its recognition of the local chapter, WVU said. The university suspension is for three years.

The hazing incident was reported in February. The chapter may apply for reinstatement after August 2025.

The school also reprimanded three other fraternities related to fighting and violations of the school’s Student Conduct Code.

Phi Sigma Phi received a disciplinary reprimand and its national headquarters placed it on probation. Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Nu also received disciplinary reprimands. Each fraternity must participate in educational programming, including de-escalation training, the university said.

WVU Responds to Wrongful Death Lawsuit from Hazing Death

West Virginia University’s governing board has responded to a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a student who died following a hazing for a fraternity that had its charter revoked.

In response to the lawsuit, the WVU’s Board of Governors argues it did not sanction any events that led to Nolan Burch’s death in November 2014, according to the Dominion Post. It cited a number of other reasons.

Burch died two days after binge drinking while pledging for Kappa Sigma fraternity. The cause was alcohol poisoning.

The Burch family filed the lawsuit in n Monongalia County Circuit Court against WVU and the national chapter, among others. The suit alleges negligence.

WVU filed its response this week.

Burch was from the Buffalo, New York, area.

Judge Recuses Self from WVU Student Hazing Death Case

A judge has recused himself from a hazing case stemming from a West Virginia University student’s death.

The Dominion Post reports that Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge Philip Gaujot said he was member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity when he was a college student.

Kappa Sigma members Jordan Hawkins of Hightstown, New Jersey, and Richard William Schwartz of Williamstown, New York, are charged with misdemeanor hazing stemming from the death of 18-year-old Nolan Burch.

Morgantown police say Burch was found unresponsive at the Kappa Sigma house on Nov. 12, 2014, following an initiation ceremony. The freshman from Williamstown, New York died two days later.

Police say Burch’s blood alcohol limit was more than six times the legal driving limit.

Judge Susan Tucker has been appointed to replace Gaujot.

Second WVU Faternity Member Charged

A second West Virginia University fraternity member faces hazing-related misdemeanors following the November death of a student.

Twenty-one-year-old Jordon

Parrish Hankins of Hightstown, New Jersey, was arraigned on hazing and conspiracy to commit hazing charges Friday in Monongalia County Magistrate Court.

Earlier this week, 20-year-old Richard William Schwartz of Williamsville, New York, was charged with the same counts.

According to a criminal complaint against Schwartz, he provided 19-year-old Nolan Burch with a bottle of liquor for an initiation ceremony at the Kappa Sigma house on Nov. 12. Media outlets report Hankins oversaw the ceremony.

Police and medical personnel called to the house found Burch unresponsive. Burch, also from Williamsville, was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Court records didn’t list an attorney for Hankins.

California Man Pleads No Contest in WVU Hazing Trial

A California man will spend 10 days in jail after pleading no contest to hazing and battery at a West Virginia University fraternity.

Andrew Nemes of Huntington Beach, California, entered his plea Monday. Monongalia County Magistrate Jim Nabors sentenced Nemes to a total 15 months in jail, and then suspended all but 10 days.

Nemes also must pay a $1,000 fine.

Police say a 19-year-old man was physically assaulted and injured on Nov. 15, 2013, while participating in an initiation at Phi Kappa Psi’s WVU chapter.

Co-defendant Michael Sousa of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, pleaded no contest to hazing in May. He received a 48-hour sentence and was fined $1,000.

Another co-defendant, 24-year-old Christopher Lazzell of Morgantown, failed to appear at his hearing on Monday.