Alpha Epsilon Pi suspended at UM amid hazing allegations

An international college fraternity has suspended its chapter at the University of Michigan amid allegations of hazing, officials said.

Alpha Epsilon Pi has ordered its UM chapter to cease all activities.

"At this time, all operations of the Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter at the University of Michigan have been completely suspended," Jon Pierce, a spokesman for the international fraternity, said in a statement.

Its decision came after a video showing hazing at the chapter emerged online.

Officials with the international fraternity informed UM's Fraternity and Sorority Life Department of the suspension last week, according to the school.

"In this case, the university has been made aware of the report and, although Alpha Epsilon Pi is not an affiliated chapter recognized within the university’s Interfraternity Council, university staff members immediately involved the fraternity’s national headquarters and the Ann Arbor Police Department," Colleen Mastony, a UM spokeswoman, said in a statement.

She said the university is not making any additional statements about the allegations at this time because an investigation is ongoing.

Ann Arbor police are asking the public for help with the investigation.

"The Ann Arbor Police Department is aware of the video circulating online," Chris Page, a police spokesman, said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the AAPD tip line at (734) 794-6939 or email tips@a2gov.org.

Both the university and the international fraternity said they denounce hazing.

"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.

Pierce said hazing goes against everything the fraternity represents.

"Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) does not condone hazing in any way, shape, or form," he said. "Such behavior is antithetical to our values and our mission: developing the future leaders of the Jewish community. When we learn of it, we act swiftly and decisively to end it. Despite our best efforts to educate our undergraduates, it appears that these men decided to take on this aberrant behavior."

He also said the fraternity supports the investigations into the matter by the proper authorities.

"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."

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez