Mustang News Staff Report

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Cal Poly has suspended the Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) fraternity chapter following a reported sexual assault at a Halloween party at a PIKE-affiliated house. The university will conduct an investigation into the incident, according to a statement issued by Cal Poly.

The party occurred on Oct. 31 at a house associated with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity in the 700 block of Foothill Boulevard, the statement said. Police officers from the University Police Department (UPD), the San Luis Obispo Police Department and state Alcohol Beverage Control responded to noise complaints at the residence. When officers arrived, they spoke with fraternity representatives and stopped the party.

In the early morning of Nov. 1, a Cal Poly housing employee reported to UPD that a resident said she had been sexually assaulted at the party. University administrators are providing on- and off-campus resources and support, the statement said.

When Cal Poly learned of the party, they suspended the fraternity.

“When we learned of the reported sexual assault and the number of individuals who had over-consumed alcohol, we took immediate action and suspended all activities of the fraternity chapter,” the statement quotes Keith Humphrey, Cal Poly’s vice president for Student Affairs, as saying. “This kind of behavior has no place at Cal Poly, and we are in the process of conducting a full university investigation.”

The statement said Cal Poly will work with chapter officers, the fraternity’s national headquarters and local authorities during the university investigation.

A university investigation occurs separately from any potential criminal investigations.

“Any violations confirmed by our investigation will be dealt with swiftly and forcefully,” the statement quotes Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong as saying.

Kyle McCarty contributed to this report.