Seven members of the Indiana University chapter of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity have been charged with felony hazing offenses following allegations of subjecting pledges to intense physical workouts that led to two individuals being hospitalized. The alleged hazing incident occurred in October 2025, involving more than two dozen pledges.
According to court records, pledges were made to perform strenuous exercises for approximately three hours in the fraternity's chapter room. These exercises reportedly included "brother squats," where pledges linked arms and performed squats until exhaustion, as well as push-ups, planks, and leg lifts. Pledges were also allegedly instructed to immerse themselves in an ice bath and recite the fraternity's creed.
Two pledges were hospitalized due to severe thigh pain and difficulty walking. Medical evaluations revealed they had developed rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle tissue breakdown releases harmful proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream, potentially leading to kidney failure. Both individuals required multiple days of hospitalization for treatment.
Court documents also allege that Phi Kappa Psi President Arjunkumar Patel instructed one of the hospitalized pledges to provide false information to medical staff regarding the cause of his injuries, attributing them to gym workouts. Patel reportedly then instructed the pledge to delete their text message exchange. Patel faces felony charges for hazing and obstruction of justice.
Fraternity members Joseph Moon, Noah Kucera, Logan Conforti, Casey Clarke, Ryan Donohue, and Kaptur Nowaczyk have each been charged with two counts of felony hazing. Moon is accused of overseeing the hazing rituals and determining the activities. Nowacyk, Donahue, Clarke, Conforti, and Kucera were identified as members of the fraternity's "Member Education Committee" and were allegedly present during the workout session.
Indiana University placed the Phi Kappa Psi chapter on a cease-and-desist order in late October 2025, suspending all organizational activities. Lamar Hylton, Indiana University Bloomington's vice chancellor for student life, stated that the allegations are inconsistent with the university's values and expectations for student conduct.
Felony hazing charges in Indiana carry a maximum sentence of 2.5 years in prison. The seven fraternity members are scheduled to appear in court for an initial hearing on September 1.