The University of Alabama is known for its Greek life. With one of the largest sorority and fraternity presences in the country and Bama Rush TikTok taking over millions of TikTok FYPs over the past two years UA has made a name for itself when it comes to Greek life in America.
Now, though, the university is under fire following allegations of hazing and misconduct against one of the university’s largest fraternities, Pi Kappa Alpha (commonly known as PIKE). Her Campus reached out to the University of Alabama’s Office of Sorority and Fraternity life and the University of Alabama Interfraternity Council but did not hear back by the time of publication.
On Oct. 17, a student at UA started a Change.org petition to kick Pi Kappa Alpha off campus. The petition alleges that PIKE members have been caught “drugging girls” and “violently hazing” 18- and 19-year-olds. According to the petition, the chapter has been kicking out members for misconduct, which a spokesperson for the school confirmed to the Tuscaloosa Thread on Oct. 18. The spokesperson did not give further details on the investigation or the “conduct” that the members were kicked out for. Her Campus reached out to the president of Alabama’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter for a statement but did not hear back by the time of publication.
While it’s unknown how long UA’s chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha has been under investigation, students became aware of the chapter’s actions after Old Row Alabama, a parody Instagram account at UA, shared a picture of a letter that was allegedly sent to a member of UA Pi Kappa Alpha asking them to leave the fraternity house.
This investigation, and the national attention it’s received, is the latest mark on the University of Alabama’s Greek life reputation. In June 2018, the university’s Delta Sigma Phi chapter was suspended for allegations of misconduct and “violations of policy.” The fraternity was allowed back onto campus two years later. In 2021, the school’s Alpha Phi chapter expelled their president and removed another member for allegedly sending racist text messages. The sorority posted a statement to their Instagram, writing, “We deeply apologize for the racist behavior displayed by the former member and the harm and trauma this text message has caused to members of the Alabama community and the general public.” The statement continued, “Unfortunately, the recent actions of those affiliated with our organization do not adhere to the standards we hold of our members.”
Grant Sikes, a student at UA who went viral due to her involvement in Bama Rush TikTok in 2022, has been vocal on social media about the Pi Kappa Alpha news, sharing the petition and urging her followers to sign. Sikes also called out the fraternity on her Instagram stories, and asked the university to “do the right thing” by removing the chapter from campus.
“This is a pivotal moment for both [the Alabama Panhellenic Association] and the [Alabama Interfraternity Council] to decide where they want Greek life to move towards, and what kind of culture they want here at UA,” Sikes tells Her Campus.
The University of Alabama and the UA IFC have yet to issue a statement regarding the investigation and suspension of Pi Kappa Alpha’s members.