Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity has suspended the charter of the Zeta Sigma chapter in Davis for hazing, effective today, and the University of California, Davis, has simultaneously revoked the chapter's registration as a student organization. The fraternity will not seek to re-establish a chapter for at least four years. The campus initiated a review of the chapter and notified Pi Kappa Phi Headquarters of its investigation in late July, after learning from the city of Davis and UC Davis police departments of alleged violations of UC Davis hazing policy. Pi Kappa Phi Headquarters conducted its own investigation of these charges shortly after receiving the report. Following this review, regional and national fraternity officers met with UC Davis officials and agreed to close the chapter for violating university and fraternity standards. University policy provides that disciplinary action may be taken against individuals as well as organizations for violations of university and campus policy. Under university policy, hazing is defined as "any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a campus organization, or any activity by the organization or [its] members which causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any student or other person." Under the California hazing law, individuals may also be subject to criminal prosecution, which prohibits similar conduct. A violation of California hazing law is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $5,000, or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both. Any person or organization that participates in the hazing of another shall forfeit any entitlement to state funds, scholarships, or awards, and shall be deprived of any sanction or approval granted by any public educational institution or agency. "There appears to have been a pattern of hazing in this case, and we're continuing to investigate certain individuals," said Jeanne Wilson, director of student judicial affairs. For this reason, she said, the campus is unable to provide any more details. She and other university officials say they commend the Pi Kappa Phi National Headquarters for taking swift and decisive action. "We join Pi Kappa Phi in putting our Greek-letter organizations on notice that hazing has no place at the university and will not be tolerated," said Ted Adams, director of the student programs and activities center. "UC Davis seeks to ensure that fraternities and sororities enhance rather than interfere with students' education and college experience." He said the university will continue its year-round work with student leaders, local chapters and national headquarters to promote responsible behavior among members of Greek-letter organizations through enforcement of university regulations, and advising local Greek-letter chapters and governing bodies. In addition, UC Davis will continue to provide crisis prevention and conflict resolution services; educational programming on topics such as substance abuse, rape prevention, hazing, and neighborhood relations; leadership training; and liaison with the city of Davis.