Last modified: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter closed at IU Bloomington
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University Dean of Students Richard McKaig announced today (Jan. 23) the decision to close the Bloomington campus chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. The decision, which was made in consultation with the national headquarters of Alpha Epsilon Pi and after talking with alumni and student officers from the group, is based on a finding that the chapter violated the university's regulation prohibiting hazing.
The Campus Student Organization Ethics Board which is comprised of students conducted a hearing on the matter in November and made its recommendation to McKaig at that time. The board found the chapter responsible for violation of the Student Organization Code which prohibits hazing of any kind. The code defines hazing as "any conduct that subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, to anything that may endanger, abuse, degrade or intimidate the person as a condition of association with a group or organization, regardless of the person's consent or lack of consent."
"This was a difficult decision given the fraternity's many contributions to student life since it was first chartered in Bloomington in 1958," McKaig said. "But the Student Organization Ethics Board was clear about its recommendation, and the circumstances certainly warrant this action."
The expulsion, which takes effect immediately, means the university no longer recognizes the chapter as an existing campus organization. Its members will not be permitted to participate in university-sponsored or supervised activities, such as intramurals or Little 500, under the name Alpha Epsilon Pi. The chapter will remain closed for two years.
"It is always difficult to close a chapter that has a long standing history," Andrew Borans, executive director of Alpha Epsilon Pi International said. "We value our alumni who have worked so diligently with the chapter, the university and the international fraternity. Since the chapter was founded 50 years ago, nearly 2,000 men have been initiated into our Beta Iota chapter. We look forward to returning to campus as a valuable entity of Indiana University and its Greek Community."
