Madison police arrest two after finding 30 injured pledges in sweltering fraternity basement

Key points

• Madison police responded to an anonymous tip on Wednesday night and found about 30 men in the basement of a fraternity house near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
• The men, described as pledges, were partially clothed and covered in food, condiments, and other liquids, with several showing signs of physical assault.
• The basement thermostat was set to 81 degrees, creating hot and humid conditions, and the walls were painted black.
• Two 20-year-old fraternity members, Brayden Klein and Samuel Vane, were arrested on tentative misdemeanor charges of hazing and disorderly conduct, though no formal charges had been filed as of Friday morning.
• The Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter is unrecognized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, having been terminated in 2015, but remains legally operational through its national organization.
• The national fraternity organization issued a cease-and-desist directive, suspending all chapter programming pending an investigation into alleged violations of health and safety guidelines.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of misconduct at the Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter in Madison. The chapter was suspended in 2013 for hosting a party where a 17-year-old and another person were taken to detox after being served alcohol. It was terminated in 2015 for holding events while suspended, marking a fourth incident involving events, alcohol, or both. Since 2016, there have been seven additional allegations related to intramural sports, disrespectful behavior, drinking, and hazing. The chapter remains recognized by its national organization, allowing it to operate unaffiliated with the university.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and ABC7 Chicago both reported on the police investigation and the arrests of two 20-year-old fraternity members. ABC7 Chicago provided the names of the arrested individuals, Brayden Klein and Samuel Vane, and quoted Madison Police Captain Kipp Hartman regarding the national chapter's potential sanctions. The Guardian emphasized the university's response and the history of the chapter's misconduct. UW-Madison News provided detailed information on the university's investigation process and the national fraternity's cease-and-desist directive. Yahoo's coverage was limited to the headline, but it aligned with the other sources in reporting the discovery of 30 injured students in the basement. All sources agree on the basic facts of the incident, but they differ in the level of detail provided regarding the university's and national fraternity's responses.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of hazing in college fraternities and the challenges in addressing such behavior when chapters are unrecognized by their universities. The severe conditions and physical injuries reported in this case underscore the potential dangers of hazing rituals and the need for stricter enforcement of anti-hazing policies. The involvement of multiple investigations by police, the university, and the national fraternity organization indicates a coordinated effort to address the incident and prevent future occurrences.

What to watch

The Madison police investigation is ongoing, and formal charges may be filed against the two arrested individuals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards will investigate any students implicated in the incident, with potential sanctions ranging from written reprimands to expulsion. The national Alpha Epsilon Pi organization will continue its investigation into the chapter's alleged violations of health and safety guidelines, with the possibility of further sanctions or termination of the chapter's recognition.