Cal State Chico Looks to Move On Without Betas

Fraternity Suffers Hazing Fallout

By Patrick W. Connelly
Co-Editor, The Frat Boy News

Students returning the California State University in Chico this fall may notice a considerable difference on campus as Beta Theta Pi fraternity won't be active this school year.

"We've lost 40 good guys," said Greg Bruce, a Sigma Pi brother and the university's IFC president. Beta Theta Pi was disbanded on the campus after a university investigation into a hazing incident cause the fraternity to lose its national chapter's recognition.

Brothers of the fraternity were said to have forced pledges to submerge in a bathtub filled with ice and water until they answered a series of questions. They were also said to have locked pledges in a closet where they threw beer and other disgusting things at them, reports said.

California Betas Face Hazing Charges

Three Face Trial in Chico Frat Hazing

Three brothers of Beta Theta Pi's chapter at California State University in Chico face illegal hazing charges for an incident where they were said to have made pledges exercise ans crawl through mud.

According to the district attorney, the pledges were also forced to be submerged in freezing cold water, exposing them to possible hypothermia.

"The ice bath ritual caught our attention," he said. "If (pledges) didn't answer questions correctly -- and they were designed that you couldn't -- (they) were immersed in a bath of ice water for a substantial period of time."

Following the allegations, the university revoked the fraternity's charter.

"Suspects Gave Victim a 'Wedgie,' Pulled Up Her Underwear"

The Frat Boy News daily campus police report for Friday:

California State University, Chico (compiled by the Orion Online)
Feb. 10 - 3:45 p.m.: Sex fondle/battery reported to police. "Suspects gave victim a 'wedgie,' pulled up her underwear."

Feb. 9 - 10:51 a.m.: Mentally ill person reported to police. "Friend of reporting party's son has called eight times in the past half hour to say he is going to kill himself."

Feb. 9 - 11:27 a.m.: Littering/urinating in public reported to police. "Three to four occupants threw out two plates of food into the street."

Feb. 10 - 2:24 a.m.: Petty theft reported to police. "Artificial tree taken from the back porch. Gasoline dumped all over from a scooter parked on the porch."

Feb. 10 - 10:44 a.m.: Vandalism reported to police. "Soap dumped into fish fountain in front of council chambers."

Feb. 10 - 6:17 p.m.: Petty theft reported to police. "The clerk has been having a problem with a customer stealing beer every night this week."

Loyola College (compiled by the Greyhound)
Feb. 7 - 8:30 a.m.: A student informed police that he had a verbal altercation with three Loyola bookstore employees. The student said he was standing in a parking spot holding it for a fellow student. At this time a car, containing three bookstore employees, attempted to pull into the spot. The student informed them that the spot was being reserved, to which the employees laughed and stated that you can't hold spots. The driver then backed into the space without touching the student. After further discussion the employee let the student have the spot, and the officers left without incident.