Baruch College Fraternity, Pi Delta Psi, Revoked Following Hazing Death Of Michael Deng

The chapter of Pi Delta Psi at Baruch College in New York has been revoked following the death of freshman pledge Michael Deng last week, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.

Deng, 19, died on Dec. 9 in a hospital after enduring a blow to the head during a hazing ritual in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. He was one of 30 other students participating in the event.

After hearing about the incident, the Pi Delta Psi Fraternity Inc. chided the chapter at Baruch College.

"As a direct result of the unsanctioned and prohibited events that took place last weekend, Pi Delta Psi Fraternity has revoked and terminated all affiliation with the Baruch Colony, effective immediately," the fraternity posted on their website yesterday.

"Baruch Colony has violated the values and rules of our organization, including our strict no hazing policy. As such, they shall no longer be recognized as having any association with Pi Delta Psi. Additionally, we will also revoke the individual memberships of any member found involved in this incident."

The statement added the organization is fully cooperating with authorities and encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward to aid the investigation.

The Pi Delta Psi fraternity is an Asian American Cultural Fraternity that was founded in 1994 at Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York.

Baruch College President Mitchel Wallerstein also condemned the fraternity and emphasized the university has a "zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing."

"Michael's death is a deeply painful reminder that no individual should ever be put into a position where his or her personal safety is in jeopardy," Wallerstein said in a Dec. 11 statement.

According to Bloomberg, there have been 60 fraternity-related deaths since 2005 -- 40 percent of which were freshman -- and mostly involved hazing and/or alcohol.

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