ASU Student Life is investigating the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity for an alleged hazing incident involving limes, drinks and a whip.
On March 15, Deborah Sullivan, assistant dean of Judicial Affairs for Student Life, received an envelope containing seven questionable pictures, according to a departmental report from ASU police.
The envelope was left under the door of an unnamed person sometime during the weekend of March 12-15 and then forwarded to Sullivan, the report said.
Sullivan could not be reached for comment Monday.
Manny Romero, an ASU spokesman, said that Pi Kappa Alpha is the fraternity being investigated in conjunction with the envelope.
According to the report issued on April 7, the pictures showed men lying on the floor in various positions with pieces of limes in their mouths.
There were drinks on the floor in front of them. A partially clad woman was also in the pictures, carrying a whip, according to the report.
"The pictures would lead you to believe the whip was used on some of the men," the report said.
In a memo sent to Cmdr. Allen Clark of the ASU Department of Public Safety, Sullivan describes the men as having clearly visible red marks and welts on their bare buttocks. In one picture, the female does not have any clothing covering her breasts.
The memo states that the drinks on the floor appear to be alcoholic and that it is unknown whether the men in the pictures are under the age of 21.
Cmdr. John Sutton, a spokesman for ASU police, said the police investigation of the matter has been closed and that the office of Student Life is in charge of looking into the matter. Police filed no charges.
However, if the investigation reveals that there is a victim of a criminal act, the case will be made active again, said Sutton.
Sutton said possible criminal charges could include minors in possession of alcohol, providing alcohol to minors and assault.
Nathan Clutter, an undeclared junior and president of Pi Kappa Alpha, said representatives from the national chapter would arrive in Tempe this weekend to conduct their own investigation.
Clutter also said he could not give further comment until after that investigation is completed.
"Our office of Student Life will follow up in great detail on the matter," said Greek Life Coordinator Michael Najor. "We take hazing very seriously."
According to the Student Code of Conduct, hazing means "any situation in which individuals are voluntarily or involuntarily subjected to activity that has the potential to harass, intimidate, impart pain, humiliate, invite ridicule or cause undue mental or physical distress."
Hazing also includes "advocating or promoting alcohol or substance abuse," according to the code.
Reach the reporter at timothy.taylor@asu.edu.
