ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - A video allegedly showing a hazing incident involving members of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity has led to the suspension of the nation's largest Jewish frat from the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus.
All operations for the university's embattled Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter have been suspended over the hazing allegations, with the fraternity's national headquarters requesting a cease and desist of all chapter activities as of Feb. 8, 2024.
University officials are investigating the latest claims of hazing against the embattled fraternity who has had issues in the past, U-M spokeswoman Colleen Mastony said in a statement.
“The University of Michigan condemns hazing practices and supports the use of strong responsive action, including notification to chapter headquarters, university sanctions and possible legal action,” Mastony said.
The allegations center on a video that's made the rounds of social media, that allegedly shows pledges sitting in a circle while being hit and kicked by Alpha Epsilon Pi members.
While the U-M chapter is not recognized within the university’s Interfraternity Council, university officials reported the incident to the fraternity’s national headquarters and the Ann Arbor Police Department, Mastony added.
“Given that this is an ongoing investigation, we have nothing more to share,” Mastony said.
Ann Arbor Police Department spokesperson Chris Page said via MLive that investigators are aware of the video and has asked anymore with any information about the incident to come forward and contact the department's tip line by phone at 734-794-6939 or email at tips@a2gov.org.
As reported by MLive, Jonathan Pierce -- a spokesman for the fraternity’s national office -- wrote in an email that the fraternity “does not condone hazing in any way, shape or form," adding that the Greek organization is based on Jewish principles.
“Despite our best efforts to educate our undergraduates, it appears that these men decided to take on this aberrant behavior,” Pierce said.
He added that the national office is supporting the investigation.
“We hope that anyone found to have engaged in this behavior will be fully prosecuted under the laws of the state of Michigan and that the University of Michigan will take action against them for violations of its student code of conduct,” he said. “Anyone found guilty of these activities, in any way condoning it, or failing to intervene, will be suspended from AEPi pending their expulsion from membership in accordance with our internal procedures.”
Pierce told Mlive that the frat's national office plans to support hazing victims and reorganize the Ann Arbor campus chapter “with a group of men who will uphold our values and mission."
No other details about the incident have been released as police continue to investigate.