NC university investigates frat beating complaints

FAYETTEVILLE — Officials at a North Carolina university are investigating complaints that a fraternity took recruits off campus and beat them.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Friday that police and administrators at Fayetteville State University were looking into activities by the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

University official Janice Haynie says her office is looking into complaints from concerned parents.

The newspaper said fraternity leaders allegedly took a group of student off campus, blindfolded them and beat them with a wooden paddle.

University spokesman Jeff Womble also is the fraternity’s adviser and would not talk about the allegations.

Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in 1906 at Cornell University.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)