Two leaders of a banned University of Wisconsin fraternity were arrested after police discovered around 30 partially clothed teenage pledges blindfolded and covered in food and condiments inside a sweltering basement.
Brayden J. Klein, 20, the fraternity president, and Samuel N. Vane, 20, the vice president, were taken into custody Wednesday evening on misdemeanor hazing and misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges. Police acted on an anonymous tip that led them to the Alpha Epsilon Pi house in Madison at approximately 8:20 p.m.
Officers found a disturbing scene in the basement. The pledges, who police said were the “vast majority” 18 years old, were huddled in filthy conditions with the thermostat cranked to 81 degrees, making the space muggy and overheated. Some of the young men had “visible injuries consistent with being physically assaulted,” according to the incident report. They were also covered in food, condiments and other liquids.
Everyone in the house was escorted outside by police. The pledges were then checked for incapacitation and injuries.
The fraternity has no official standing at the university. Police described Alpha Epsilon Pi as an “unrecognized and unaccredited” student organization that UW–Madison “terminated” more than a decade ago. Despite the ban, the chapter remains nationally recognized and can legally operate independently of the school.
“UW–Madison is fully committed to preventing and addressing hazing and takes all incidents involving our community seriously,” the university said in a statement Thursday.
“Any student determined to be in violation of law, regulation, or university policy may be subject to sanctions according to Wis. Admin. Code Chapter UWS 17,” it continued.
“These sanctions may include a written reprimand, disciplinary probation, disciplinary suspension, termination, or educational sanctions.”
The university also pointed out that because Alpha Epsilon Pi remains nationally recognized, it can function as a chapter unaffiliated with UW–Madison despite its long-ago ban from campus.
Klein and Vane were arrested as the fall semester gets underway at UW–Madison, where officials have pledged to crack down on hazing activities even among off-campus groups beyond their direct control.