NORTH ADAMS - After allegations surfaced in October about student hazing, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has revoked the charter of the Pi Upsilon Omega sorority.

Finding the Greek organization responsible for 11 violations - including infractions of the school's alcohol, hazing and membership regulation policies - a panel composed of five MCLA faculty and staff members revoked the group's privileges as a college-affiliated student chapter.

The Pines, as the sorority and its brother fraternity Pi Upsilon Pi is collectively and commonly known, have already begun the appeal process in hopes of having the December decision overturned.

"It is very disappointing to us to lose our affiliation with the College and we are currently in appeal of that decision," said Sarah Buckley, the sorority's president. "Depending on whether the appeal works in our favor or not, Pi Upsilon Omega will go on and we have the highest of hopes for our future."

"We plan to go on and be one with or without the college's support," she continued.

Related story

Karen Gardner, the college's communication specialist, could not provide much information about the case as it is still under investigation, but she did say that the matter is now in the hands of President Mary K. Grant and she "will decide the next step."

The violations allegedly stem from a claim that one or more female students made against the sorority at the beginning of the fall semester. Students told CBS6 News in Albany, N.Y., that the women said hot sauce had been smeared in their faces. A full investigation followed and the sisters were accused of 13 code of conduct violations and subjected to an administrative panel hearing.

Gardner said no information would be released until the appeals process is completed and Buckley said she expected to know the result of the investigation by the fourth week of the spring semester, in the middle of February.

In a Dec. 13 article in the college's newspaper, the MCLA Beacon, Dean of Students Charlotte Degen explained the implications of the college's decision.

"The revocation is permanent and only applies in the context of the school, as we are monitoring our own standards. There is no documentation on an individual basis but the college no longer recognizes the organization and they lose all privileges."

Denying the allegations and denouncing the panel's decision, Buckley posted a response on the Beacon's Web site, explaining that she and her sisters had no intention of bending under the college's pressure.

"As president of Pi Upsilon Omega this came to us as a total shock and I believe I didn't just pledge into just any sorority, I pledged Pi Upsilon Omega, which comes from a different breed. We are strong, determined women and this battle should prove just that. We will not cower and we will fight the good fight against the administration for as long as it takes," she said.

"Our sorority motto is 'United We Stand, Divided We Fall' and no matter what, that is what we will do."