February 17, 2017
Martin Cobb, Director of Communication
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
martin.cobb@beta.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beta Theta Pi Fraternity Closes Chapter at Penn State University

OXFORD, OHIO, February 17, 2017 – Beta Theta Pi continues to grieve the loss of Tim Piazza, a new member who passed away following a tragic incident at our Penn State chapter house. As such, Tim’s family remains in the thoughts and prayers of all Betas. Their loss is unimaginable, and for that they will always have the Fraternity’s deepest condolences.

Further, while investigations are ongoing, Beta Theta Pi General Fraternity and Penn State University leaders have evaluated enough information to justify a decision to close the Alpha Upsilon Chapter at Penn State. These findings are not in keeping with Beta Theta Pi’s longstanding values of responsible conduct, mutual assistance and integrity. Upon those founding principles, the Fraternity is unequivocal.

While this decision is effective immediately, the Fraternity will continue to cooperate in ongoing investigations and work closely alongside local authorities and our university partners. Outside of these parameters, however, the undergraduate members may not continue to operate as a chapter of Beta Theta Pi for any purpose.

An official statement from Penn State University concerning the closure can be found here.

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Beta Theta Pi is a college fraternity committed to developing men of principle for a principled life. Founded in 1839, today Beta serves more 10,000 undergraduate members on 136 campuses across North America, 130,000 living-alumni members and 1,800 volunteers. The Fraternity’s Administrative Office is located near its founding site at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Press Contact:
Justin Warren, Senior Writer
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
justin.warren@beta.org