Wisconsin police investigate fraternity for hazing after men found in basement | Wisconsin

Police are investigating suspected illegal hazing after about 30 partially clothed young men, covered in food, condiments and other liquids, were discovered recently in the basement of a fraternity house near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Madison police said some of the men, whom they described as fraternity pledges, showed signs of physical assault.

Police went to the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity house Wednesday evening after receiving an anonymous tip. Two fraternity members, both 20, were arrested on preliminary misdemeanor charges of hazing and disorderly conduct, police said. No formal charges had been filed against them as of Friday morning.

The university said it was taking the matter seriously and was launching its own investigation.

“UW-Madison is fully committed to preventing and combating hazing and takes all incidents involving our community seriously,” the university said in a statement released Thursday.

Any student found to have violated law or university policy could be subject to sanctions ranging from a written reprimand to expulsion, UW-Madison said.

Police released a photo showing about two dozen men, all shirtless, in the fraternity’s basement with trash and other debris on the floor. The faces of the people in the photo are blurred.

Police said the thermostat was set at 81F, causing hot and humid conditions in the basement, where the walls appeared to be painted black. The majority of people in the basement were 18 years old, police said.

The fraternity’s status as a recognized student organization on the Madison campus ended in 2015 for holding events while it was suspended. He was suspended in 2013 for hosting a party where a 17-year-old and another person were taken to rehab after being served alcohol at a fraternity party, according to university records.

The dismissal came after a fourth incident involving either events, alcohol or both, the university said.

Since 2016, there have been seven other allegations involving the fraternity related to intramural sports, disrespectful behavior, alcohol and hazing, the university said.

Because the fraternity is still recognized by its national organization, it is able to operate as a fraternity chapter not affiliated with the university, UW-Madison said.

National Brotherhood spokesman Jon Pierce said his organization took the allegations “very seriously” and would cooperate fully with investigations. Any member who participated will be expelled from the fraternity, he said.

“Hazing is a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for,” Pierce said. “There is no place for this at AEPi. No exceptions. No excuses.”

The fraternity house is located just blocks from the heart of the UW-Madison campus, which is home to approximately 52,000 students.

Police said their investigation was also ongoing. The university’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards also investigates pursuant to its non-academic misconduct process, UW-Madison said.