MADISON, Wis. — Two men are arrested in connection to a hazing investigation involving an unrecognized fraternity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the annual rush week for Greek organizations on campus.
Police responded to the Alpha Epsilon Pi house on Langdon Street after receiving an anonymous tip the evening of September 23. Authorities reported finding around 30 partially clothed men “covered in food, condiments, and other liquids”.
According to an incident report, the vast majority of those in the basement were 18-years-olds, several of whom had “visible injuries consistent with being physically assaulted”. A thermostat in the room was set to 81 degrees creating hot and humid conditions, according to the report. Officers declared the event unlawful and everyone was escorted outside before being checked for injuries.
“We know that there are various ways that fraternities and sororities conduct these things. Our thing is always going to be on student safety,” said Madison Police Captain Kipp Hartman in a press conference September 24. Our concern is when things are going too far and people’s either life and/or physical harm is at stake. And that is definitely when we were going to be stepping in.”
Alpha Epsilon Pi is an unrecognized and unaccredited student organization, having been terminated by the University of Wisconsin in 2015 for what the university described as “intentionally violat[ing] the terms of its suspension by hosting events that were not permitted” under the terms of a suspension. The organization was initially placed on suspension followed by probation with alcohol restrictions in 2013 for hosting a party at which a 17-year-old boy and another guest were transported to detox after being served alcohol by fraternity members. Later, the organization was found responsible for four additional incidents involving events and/or alcohol while it was suspended or on alcohol restriction.
In a statement September 24, the university clarified that since the chapter continues to be recognized by its national organization, it is legally allowed to operate as a fraternity chapter unaffiliated with the university.
Since its suspension, the university has investigated at least seven allegations against the organization. The most recent investigation involved a student being transported to the hospital for consuming shots of alcohol at the fraternity house and a separate hazing allegation.
Chapter president Brayden Klein and vice president Samuel Vane, both 20 years old, were arrested for hazing and disorderly conduct and taken to the Dane County Jail.
The national organization’s chief communications officer Jonathan Pierce said in a statement to WTMJ the group is fully cooperating with the investigation, and that any member found responsible for criminal conduct in this matter will be expelled from the fraternity.
“Hazing is a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for. There is no place for it in AEPi. No exceptions. No excuses.” said Pierce. “We educate our members about their responsibility to ‘Be Your Brothers’ Keeper.’ This is not an optional value. It is a fundamental expectation of membership. Anyone who engages in hazing forfeits the privilege of being an AEPi brother.”
This story has been updated to include a statement from the national organization.
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