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National fraternity suspends Madison chapter programming after hazing arrests
Alpha Epsilon Pi ordered its Madison chapter to halt programming while it investigates alleged health and safety violations. The move followed the arrests of chapter President Brayden Klein and Vice President Samuel Vane on suspicion of hazing and disorderly conduct.
Alpha Epsilon Pi’s national headquarters has suspended programming at its Madison chapter while it investigates allegations of hazing, days after police arrested two chapter leaders.
Madison police responded Wednesday night, Sept. 23, to an anonymous tip about a possible hazing event at the fraternity house on Langdon Street. Officers found 30 partially clothed men in a room set to 81 degrees, covered in food, condiments and other liquids, according to police information reported by local authorities.
Chapter President Brayden Klein and Vice President Samuel Vane were arrested on suspicion of hazing and disorderly conduct. The arrests are allegations, not findings of guilt.
In a statement released Friday, Alpha Epsilon Pi said it condemns hazing and will cooperate with law enforcement. The organization said members found responsible for criminal conduct would be expelled and that it would support prosecution. It also said it would work with the university on possible student-conduct action.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison said the chapter has not been recognized by or affiliated with the university for more than a decade. The university terminated its chapter in 2015, but said the national organization’s continued recognition allows the group to identify itself as a fraternity chapter unaffiliated with UW-Madison.
Alpha Epsilon Pi headquarters has issued a cease-and-desist directive to the Madison chapter, suspending its programming pending a review of alleged violations of the fraternity’s health and safety guidelines.