The Kappa Sigma fraternity chapter at UNLV has been suspended by the fraternity's International Memorial Headquarters following an investigation into a charge that the local chapter hazed members of its fall 1996 pledge class, according to Dr. Robert Acke rman, UNLV vice president for student services.

Officers of the fraternity chapter, which had a current membership of some 45 students at UNLV, will appear at a show-cause hearing held by the national organization in Dallas in about a month, at which time the sanction may be upheld or changed, according to Carl Reisch, the Kappa Sigma chapter consultant who investigated the hazing charges.

"The university fully supports the actions of the Kappa Sigma International Memorial Headquarters in this matter," Ackerman said. "Kappa Sigma does not allow hazing, nor does UNLV."

Ackerman said UNLV will treat the members as individuals, rather than as a group, and may pursue disciplinary action if it appears individual members have violated the "Student Conduct Code" or the "University and Community College System of Nevada Code."

"Fraternities exist to promote brotherhood," Ackerman said. "Organizations that resort to hazing are really exhibiting a weakness, a failure to commit to the ideals of brotherhood. By their actions, the members of this organization have clearly said they do not wish to be a fraternity on this campus."

The Kappa Sigma national organization will also conduct a membership review of the UNLV chapter, Reisch said.