Madison police arrest two in UW-Madison fraternity hazing investigation

University terminated the chapter’s recognition in 2015 after prior incidents

Madison police are investigating suspected illegal hazing at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house near the University of Wisconsin-Madison after about 30 partially clothed young men covered in food, condiments and other liquids were found in a heated basement. Two members of the chapter, both 20, were arrested on tentative misdemeanor charges of hazing and disorderly conduct, Madison police said. No formal charges had been filed against them as of Friday morning.

Police went to the fraternity house on Wednesday night after receiving an anonymous tip. Some of the men, whom officers described as pledges, had signs of being physically assaulted, according to Madison police. The thermostat in the basement had been set to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, producing hot and humid conditions, and the walls appeared painted black, police said. A majority of those in the basement were 18 years old.

Madison police released a photo that showed about two dozen shirtless men in the basement amid trash and other debris, with faces blurred. The department said the investigation is ongoing.

The university said it was taking the case seriously and launching its own investigation. “UW–Madison is fully committed to preventing and addressing hazing and takes all incidents involving our community seriously,” the university said in a Thursday statement. Any student found to have broken the law or university policy could face sanctions ranging from a written reprimand to expulsion, according to UW-Madison. The university’s office of student conduct and community standards is also investigating through its nonacademic misconduct process, the university said.

The chapter’s recognized student organization status at UW-Madison was terminated in 2015 for holding events while suspended, the university said. The chapter had been suspended in 2013 after a party in which a 17-year-old and another person were taken to detox following alcohol served at the event, according to university records. The termination followed a fourth incident involving either events, alcohol or both. Since 2016, the university logged seven additional allegations against the chapter related to intramural sports, disrespectful behavior, drinking and hazing.

Because the chapter remains recognized by its national organization, it can continue to operate as a fraternity chapter unaffiliated with the university, UW-Madison said. National AEPi spokesperson Jon Pierce said the organization was taking the allegations “very seriously” and would cooperate fully with investigations. Any member found to have participated will be expelled from the fraternity, Pierce said.

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

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