Fraternity's Porn Film Angers University
March 29, 2005 -- -- Some students at California State University, Chico were filmed with their pants down -- willingly, and the university is not too happy about it.
CSUC officials have confirmed that some members of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity participated in the making of a pornographic movie.
The film was shot in what appears to be the fraternity's living room and featured adult film actresses and fraternity brothers engaging in sexual activities.
The company that made the film reportedly said it only makes its college-themed movies when approached by students who want to take part in a porno movie.
Since the participation of the fraternity became known, university officials banned Phi Kappa Tau from campus activities and launched an investigation, a school spokesman said.
"We want to know how it occurred," CSUC spokesman Joe Wills said. "We want to know why it occurred, why the fraternity would go against the kind of conduct they're supposed to stand for and get involved in."
The national parent organization of Phi Kappa Tau, which posts the motto "Where Character Counts" on its Web site, has suspended all chapter operations at the CSUC fraternity.
"We are embarrassed by the allegations," Phi Kappa Tau spokesman Jeff Baird told ABCNews.com. "Our stated mission is 'To champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character.' Videos like this do not support our message. We're trying to find out what happened so we can take an appropriate response."
The parent organization has launched an investigation involving national officers and local alumni, he said.
Some students said they are sick of the negative publicity for the university.
"We're pretty fed up with the way fraternities are handling their responsibility," student Paulette Jansen told ABC News affiliate KXTV in Sacramento, Calif. "This is not appropriate and I think they know it."
Others, though, said they didn't see what the fuss was about. One student, Jimmy James, said he doesn't have a problem with the fraternity being involved in a pornography film, as long as no one was underage and the women were willing participants.
Phi Kappa Tau is in a private residence several blocks from campus.
The adult video, produced by a Van Nuys, Calif., company called Shane's World, is available for sale on the Internet. The company has produced six adult videos that feature college students over the past four years.
A spokeswoman for Shane's World told Reuters that the company makes the college-themed movies when it is approached by students, and after it verifies that everyone involved is at least 18 years old. She said the company provided four female and two male actors to take part in the film. She said three CSUC students had sex in the film.
The film is the latest bad publicity for fraternities at the school this year.
A student joining the Sigma Chi fraternity nearly died from alcohol poisoning during a pledge ritual last fall.
In February, pledge Matthew Carrington died during initiation at Chi Tau. Criminal charges have been filed against several members of that fraternity.