Clemson University's Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity is suspended for four years after it hazed pledging

A fraternity has been suspended for four years after a probe found that they were hazing pledges of this year.

Alpha Gamma Rho is blacklisted until 2027 after an investigation found that they forced new members to undergo 'line-ups and ice water baths' which inflicted 'bodily harm'.

Clemson University, in South Carolina, confirmed that an 'independent' probe found that the hazing took place in April, with one new member suffering from a 'chemical burn' – which was from a 'salt-like material'.

In a letter, the University accused the chapter of also making new members suffer sleep deprivation and personal servitude.

The fraternity was found to have breached the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act, which was put in place after a student died as a result of hazing at the university in 2014.

Alpha Gamma Rho is blacklisted until 2027 after an investigation found that they forced new members to undergo 'line-ups and ice water baths' which inflicted 'bodily harm'

The Act was established after Tucker Hipps, 19, was found dead in a lake after going missing on a Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity pledge run at 5am

Organizational conduct cases are required to be published under South Carolina's Tucker Hipps Transparency Act – with violations including include alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, physical assault and hazing.

Reports are required to be listed on institutional websites for a period of four years, with a record for AGR showing they have one prior offense in 2014.

The Act was established after Tucker Hipps, 19, was found dead in a lake after going missing on a Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity pledge run at 5am.

His family has offered a reward of $100,000 for any information in what led to his death, with his fraternity brothers not reporting him missing until 1,.55pm – seven hours after they started the run.

The Tucker W. Hipps Memorial Foundation claims that he was forced to walk on the railings of a bridge as a 'punishment' for forgetting to bring biscuits. The case into his death remains open.

A letter from the University to the fraternity chapter, obtained by The Tiger, revealed that AGR's hazing rituals included line-ups, which are military-style assemblies of pledges that sometimes include intimidation or forms of physical abuse.

AGR was initially suspended pending the investigation, meaning they were not permitted to hold any organized activities, recruit new members, or participate in official university activities.

A Clemson spokesperson said in a statement: 'AGR was placed on interim suspension while an independent investigation into hazing allegations took place.

The Tucker W. Hipps Memorial Foundation claims that he was forced to walk on the railings of a bridge as a 'punishment' for forgetting to bring biscuits. The case into his death remains open

'The investigation confirmed the allegations, and the Office of Community and Ethical Standards issued a chapter suspension for a period of four years. AGR accepted responsibility and mutually agreed to the sanction.

'The University takes all allegations of hazing within student organizations very seriously and students are expected to uphold high standards of behavior.

'The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life works with chapters on an annual basis to deliver anti-hazing awareness and training resources as part of the member education process.'

The university stated Alpha Gamma Rho accepted responsibility for violating the Clemson University Code of Conduct.

Executive Vice President of Clemson's Interfraternity Council said: 'We do not condone violations of the university's student code of conduct or our council's hazing policies.

'We will continue to educate our community about the dangers and repercussions of hazing.'

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