Statement on Hazing Allegations

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tyler Hilliard, a student at the University of California – Riverside. “The Fraternity shares our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the entire university community, as their loss is unimaginable,” said Executive Director Jamie R. Riley.

Working with the University, the Fraternity has launched an investigation into the situation and has placed the chapter on an immediate cease and desist status, suspending all activities. The Fraternity is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities as they investigate.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. does not condone and strictly prohibits any illegal acts, including hazing in any form, whether physical or mental, as a term or condition of membership in the organization. Any member found violating the fraternity’s anti-hazing policy will be immediately suspended with a recommendation for expulsion.

To be clear, any individual found to have participated in or knowingly allowed any hazing activity or any illegal act does not support the mission, vision, or aims of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has taken several steps in efforts to prevent and eliminate hazing. As an advocate, supporter, and participant in hazing prevention initiatives with organizations like Hazingprevention.org, the Novak Institute, and the Greek Anti-Hazing Hotline, Alpha Phi Alpha is educating members and those who are interested in membership about this issue. The following provides a snapshot of current anti-hazing efforts:

  1. All chapters must receive state, regional, and national approval before engaging in sanctioned new member activities. All active members of the Fraternity are required to attend an annual immersive risk-management, anti-hazing training before participating in sanctioned new member activities. This training provides very detailed information regarding the Fraternity’s anti-hazing policies, an overview of applicable laws, and engages members in case studies about eradicating hazing culture.
  2. All new member applicants are guided through the Fraternity’s anti-hazing policies as part of membership application process.
  3. During the Fraternity’s international, regional, and state conventions, active members of the Fraternity are required to attend additional in person anti-hazing trainings.
  4. Each of the five regions of the Fraternity’s membership host a College Brothers Leadership Retreat, where anti-hazing education and training are the primary components of the core curriculum.
  5. The Fraternity has a long-standing partnership with HazingPrevention.Org, and most recently participated in an intense three-day national anti-hazing institute, where members learned about the root cause of hazing and developed strategic approaches to eradicating hazing culture.
  6. The Fraternity has long-standing participation and partnerships with several anti-hazing organizations, including the Fraternal Law Conference, Association of Fraternity & Sorority Advisors (AFA), and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).
  7. The Fraternity has several anti-hazing resources available on the national website.
  8. The Fraternity has a National Committee on Risk Management Education and Prevention, which focuses on implementing innovative educational and awareness curriculum and providing cuttingedge recommendations on new anti-hazing policies.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, Edward Brooke and Cornel West. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Visit http://www.apa1906.net and follow on Twitter @apa1906network.