Two 20-year-old men have been arrested after police found about 30 partially clothed men covered in food, condiments and other liquids during an alleged hazing incident at a fraternity house in Madison, Wisconsin.
Officers were sent to the Alpha Epsilon Pi house after receiving an anonymous tip. The men were discovered in the basement, where the thermostat had been set to 81F (27C), according to Madison Police.
Several of those present had visible injuries which police said were consistent with physical assault. The vast majority were aged 18.
Brayden J. Klein and Samuel N. Vane were arrested on suspicion of hazing and disorderly conduct and taken to Dane County Jail. Police have not said whether either man was the fraternity’s president or vice-president, although both officers spoke to people holding those positions at the scene.
The men in the basement were escorted outside and assessed for signs of incapacitation and injury. Police said no further charges had been announced and that the investigation remained under way.
University and fraternity investigations
Alpha Epsilon Pi is an unrecognised and unaccredited student organisation at the University of Wisconsin. The university said the chapter could legally operate as an unaffiliated fraternity because it remains recognised by the national Alpha Epsilon Pi organisation.
A spokesman for Alpha Epsilon Pi headquarters said the allegations concerning the Madison chapter were being taken “extremely seriously”. The organisation said it would co-operate fully with the investigation and expel members found responsible for criminal conduct.
“Hazing is a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for,” the spokesman said. “There is no place for it in AEPi. No exceptions. No excuses.”
The University of Wisconsin is also investigating the incident through its non-academic misconduct process and said campus officials were supporting affected students.
Madison Police urged anyone whose safety was put at risk during the Greek life recruitment process to contact authorities.
