NC State suspends fraternity over ‘deeply troubling’ notebook

A fraternity at N.C. State University has been suspended while school officials investigate a notebook filled with offensive comments, the university said Friday.

The university described the notebook linked to the school’s chapter of Pi Kappa Phi as “an apparent pledge book.” Officials said they will conduct interviews to determine who’s responsible for its content.

“NC State does not condone intolerant behaviors directed at any members of the community, and the content in the book that surfaced Thursday night is deeply troubling. The university is working swiftly to determine who is responsible,” Mike Mullen, dean of students and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, said in a statement.

The national Pi Kappa Phi organization also has placed the school’s chapter on suspension pending the outcome of an investigation.

“The written comments and quotes reported earlier this evening are offensive and unacceptable,” said Mark E. Timmes, chief executive officer of the fraternity, in a statement posted on the organization’s website Thursday night. “These statements are inconsistent with the values of Pi Kappa Phi and will not be tolerated.”

There are 66 members in N.C. State’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter in the 2013-2014 academic year according to an annual report from N.C. State’s Greek Life department.

The statement said the fraternity’s members have been told to cooperate fully with the investigation.

The fraternity chapter is the second at N.C. State to be suspended this week. The university’s Alpha Tau Omega chapter was suspended after police found drug paraphernalia, white powder and an orange liquid during a search.

Police searched the home after a woman said she was sexually assaulted there.

Several other N.C. State fraternities are currently suspended.

Phi Gamma Delta is on probation and subject to alcohol restrictions, and Phi Beta Sigma is suspended until 2018 for a hazing incident in 2014. Theta Chi is also suspended pending the investigation into a 2014 allegation of sexual assault at the fraternity’s house.

This story was originally published March 20, 2015 at 2:42 PM with the headline "NC State suspends fraternity over ‘deeply troubling’ notebook."