Video has surfaced of what appears to show a Cal Poly student being waterboarded at a Beta Theta Pi fraternity satellite house.
The video, obtained by Mustang News, Cal Poly's student-run news organization, shows a student lying on the ground with what appears to be a cloth over his face as a water faucet sprays him in the face.
Eight out of the 15 fraternities at Cal Poly are already dealing with sanctions, and this incident could add to that list.
The video was reportedly filmed while students were playing a game at a party last Spring, but it has just recently surfaced and sparked an investigation by the university.
While it's unclear yet whether this can be considered hazing, Cal Poly has seen numerous accounts of hazing by its fraternities in the past. Earlier this year, the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was kicked off campus for forcing their members to do push-ups and drink alcohol.
Beta Theta Pi spokesman Justin Warren said in a statement, "Beta Theta Pi General Fraternity has learned of a video purportedly involving members from our chapter at Cal Poly. At this time, we believe the video was captured in August or September 2018 and involves a small number of men - none of whom were Beta Theta Pi pledges - acting as individuals and away from any related fraternity event. That being said, what's depicted as part of a reported drinking game is certainly disappointing, unsafe and in no way aligns with the values of our organization. We are in close contact with university officials, who are currently investigating the conduct of individual students related to this matter, and are fully cooperating as it relates to anyone associated with our chapter."
Cal Poly spokesman Matt Lazier says the university is aware of the video and is currently investigating.
The latest fraternity to be placed on probation by the university is Delta Upsilon. On Friday, the fraternity was found to be in violation of the student code of conduct as well as health and safety, alcohol use, and party registration rules. Its probation will be effective through Winter Quarter 2020.
