Young men found in frat basement 'covered in food' as police investigate alleged hazing incident
An investigation has been launched after around 30 partially-clothed young men were found covered in food, condiments and other liquids in the sweltering basement of a fraternity house.
Madison police said some of the young men, all aged around 18 and who they described as pledges to the fraternity, had signs on their bodies of being physically assaulted.
The discovery was made after police attended the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house Wednesday night (23 September) following an anonymous tip-off.
ABC News has reported that two fraternity members, both aged 20, were arrested for tentative misdemeanor charges of hazing and disorderly conduct.
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Fraternity hazing is described as any humiliating, abusive, or dangerous activity that required to join or stay in a college fraternity.
Police revealed that a thermostat in the basement was set to 81F (27C), creating hot and humid conditions.
Officers declared the gathering 'unlawful' before then evacuating the premises and checking pledges for incapacitation and injuries.
And police said the chapter was 'not accredited by the University of Wisconsin-Madison' and was terminated by the university more than a decade ago. Alpha Epsilon Pi's national organisation, however, told Fox News it still recognises the Madison chapter.
It describes itself as 'the world’s Jewish college fraternity,' with chapters on more than 150 college campuses in four countries.
Jonathan Pierce, the fraternity's chief communications officer, said: "AEPi Headquarters takes the allegations involving our Pi Chapter in Madison, Wisconsin, extremely seriously.
"We will cooperate fully with the authorities investigating this matter. Hazing is a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for. There is no place for it in AEPi. No exceptions. No excuses."
Meanwhile, Madison Police Captain Kipp Hartman said he saw what appeared to be fresh redness and marks potentially consistent with being struck on those involved, but did not see any open wounds.
He described 'limited cooperation' from those at the scene, adding that some statements 'did not align with what everybody else's statements were'.
University responds amid police investigations
In a response on the school's website, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor at the university said: "I was tremendously disappointed to see the allegations and images of what took place.
"To be clear, this situation did not involve an official chapter of UW–Madison’s Fraternity & Sorority Life community, but a student group whose status with the university was terminated in 2015."
The statement continued: "We appreciate that national AEPi officials issued a cease-and-desist directive on Thursday, requiring the group to immediately end all activities.
"The national organization will investigate the group’s activities, and UW–Madison’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards will do the same for individual students involved.
"Let me be clear — there is no place for hazing on our campus. A healthy campus community should encourage, uplift, and help you reach your social, academic, and professional pursuits — we must take care of one another."
James Holt