Fraternity House Porn Stars Suspended By University
03.30.2005 4:58 PM EST
Cal State students appear in adult video shot at their off-campus frat house.
What happens in a frat house doesn't necessarily stay in a frat house — that's what students at California State University, Chico, learned when the school suspended members of one of their fraternities after discovering that the students participated in a pornographic film circulated on adult Web sites and in video stores.
The film, featuring the members of Chico State's Phi Kappa Tau chapter, was shot in October 2004 at the students' off-campus frat house for the adult film production company Shane's World. The national chapter of the Greek organization also suspended the school chapter and is currently investigating the situation further, according to
The Associated Press.
Programming Coordinator for Greek Life at Chico State, Connie Huyck, said the students have been suspended from participating in any activities on campus for an indefinite period of time while the investigation takes place. She said students at the school have mainly been annoyed by all of the adverse media attention.
"Students are frustrated that there's another negative headline about Chico State when they know this is a wonderful institution," Huyck said. "And there are others who are proud of being Greek, but they aren't proud of the actions of a few who are tainting that. The fraternity needs to uphold the ideals upon which they were founded, and filming a pornographic video at the frat house is not upholding those standards."
University President Paul Zingg has said he is "disgusted" by the fraternity's behavior. "The fraternity will be dealt with in an unmistakably firm fashion," he told the
Chico Enterprise-Record.
"We're very embarrassed by the allegation," said Jeff Baird, a spokesperson for Phi Kappa Tau's Executive Offices. "Videos like this are contrary to our mission, which is to champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character."
Punishment for the students could range from sanction to expulsion from the university. In addition, the frat could lose its charter to the national organization along with losing recognition from the university.
Staff members at the school heard rumors of a video tape circulating on the Web and in adult video stores which featured their students.
"We feel the members used incredibly poor judgment in doing this, and it has repercussions far beyond just their actions. It's not just a consequence for themselves, but for the faculty and staff that work here," Huyck said.
Shane's World has produced six "College Invasion" DVDs since 2000. Nicole Henderson, a spokesperson for the adult film production company, maintains that they are only showing what really goes on in college.
"We just bring the cameras and the porn stars," Henderson said.
The company has students interested in taking part in the videos file an application stating why they want to participate and what they can bring to the table. All participants in the films, both students and porn stars, are tested for any STDs before filming takes place. Students who provide a location for filming are also paid a location fee, though Henderson declined to specify the compensation amount.
There is, however, a lengthy waiting list for their services. "When they hear about a particular school in the media, we get so many more people contacting us saying, 'You think that was wild? Come to our school!" Henderson explained. "Someone is always trying to push the envelope farther."
But Huyck, who has spoken to the students involved with the scandal, said she believes the young men now regret taking part in such acts.
"They are embarrassed," she said. "They really felt like they shouldn't have done it, but they did, and there you go. It's something that has to be dealt with now." </OPARAM></DROPLET>
— Brandee J. Tecson
