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Council clears frat of charges
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by Pedro Oliveira Jr.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The University of Wisconsin chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity was cleared of alleged hazing violations Wednesday, putting an end to a case that could have suspended the organization's Madison chapter until fall 2008.
AEPi was accused of hazing its new pledges at the end of last semester, and the Greek Judicial Board had decided to suspend all the organization's activities until fall 2008. But their decision to suspend the fraternity was overturned by an Interfraternity Council vote of 15-7, Monday.
"I'm glad the situation is finally over," AEPi President Jared Steinberg said in an interview. "We have phenomenal brothers in Alpha Epsilon Pi; what was once wrong is now right."
According to fraternity and sorority program advisor Jeffrey Benson, IFC's decision will still be taken to the J-Board for consideration, though IFC has not suggested any amendments to its appeal decision.
Benson added that specific information about the allegations is private and declined to provide further comment.
IFC President Drew Willert said after the council's decision is sent back for J-Board's review, sanctions may be added if the board finds them necessary.
"They just can't be as severe as suspension or expulsion," Willert said.
If the J-Board decides to add anything to the IFC's decision, sanctions may range from restriction to participate in certain Greek events to obligation to organize certain informational sessions to its members, such as a hazing workshop. However, Willert said the case should be over with IFC's decision.
Another fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu, which has being accused of breaking IFC's social event rules and dry rush, is currently expelled but could still appeal, Willert said.
If its members appeal, Sigma Alpha Mu would undergo a process similar to AEPi's, and could avoid its current expulsion. If an appeal is scheduled and IFC decides to uphold J-Board's decision, Sigma Alpha Mu would be shut down until fall 2010.
Steinberg commended the IFC's decision and ruling process over the Greek system.
"The fraternities on this campus set away their usual rivalries in order to determine the truth, and it makes me proud to be a member of the UW Greek community," Steinberg said.
Correction: Due to a reporting error, this article should have made clear that the case against the Alpha Epsilon Pi is not completely over. The Judicial Board still needs to make a final decision on the sanctions in place.
Also, due to an editing error, the caption accompanying the story should have said Alpha Epsilon Pi not Alpha Epsilon Phi. We regret the errors.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 3:07am):
the one that got away! Truly an injustice to see Aepi get off on this.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 3:39am):
More great proof that this system is totally corrupt.
As a member of a uw greek house, I'm completely sickened that a house known for terrible hazing has gotten away freely.
And why? Because no house wants another to go down for hazing... since they all do it.
Absolutely pathetic.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 10:12am):
Today we spell redemption: Alpha. Epsilon. Pi.
Coach Sinpz (October 11, 2007 @ 10:55am):
The "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality displayed here by many commenters on this and past articles is indicative of a great bias toward Alpha Epsilon Pi and the Greek system in general. The disciplinary procedures at this university and within the Greek system are here for a reason, and those in charge of administering them have determined by a clear majority that these accusations are without merit. Mere accusations cannot simply be taken at face value just because people want to believe them. The people who voted on this matter would seem to have better knowledge of the nature of the complaints, the evidence, and AEPi's defenses, than your average commenter on badgerherald.com. The IFC's job is to do right effectively govern its members and not to blindly convict to appease the masses. It seems as if they have done their due diligence here, and I applaud them for that, even if the result of that due diligence is an unpopular one.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 11:12am):
"The people who voted on this matter would seem to have better knowledge of the nature of the complaints, the evidence, and AEPi's defenses, than your average commenter on badgerherald.com."
This is the commentator from 3:39am...
I AM one of the people who dealt with the issue and had inside information.
IFC massively screwed up on this one.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 11:15am):
oh please AEPi has one of the worst reputations in the greek community for hazing..anyone in any other house has heard from ppl themselves about the stuff they have to do. it's a joke.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 1:00pm):
I love the Greek System, besides ASM, who else keeps byzantine laws alive and well.
- Germain E. Stemme
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 1:07pm):
at least the badger herald can correct all their TYPOS online- the paper version called the the frat by a sorority name- GREAT EDITING BH!- i havent seen such a sloppy article since the last completely biased piece you did on the Greeks. you guys truly do the greek system justice-ha!
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 1:32pm):
AEPi also has a reputation for being one of the largest, strongest, most involved fraternities on campus. But i forgot, the silent masses only like to see people vilified. Thanks, world.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 1:52pm):
who cares - let frats be frats for crying out loud. IFC has more power on this campus than any other big ten school. Frats can party, do anything on game day, or even haze a few pleebes. I'm glad these guys got off, IFC is retarded and needs to chill out.
The small houses of 20 guys run IFC and place riddiculous rules for the big houses, 70 plus guys, to follow.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 4:18pm):
so were now going to expel or suspend a fraternity from this campus based on either the opinion of one of the people who "dealt with the issue" and presumably was overruled by his colleagues, or based on hearsay and the frat's reputation? stop telling other people how to live their lives and leave these kids alone.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 5:03pm):
I think people need to realize that what makes Wisconsin great, is that Fraternities play such a SMALL role on campus. They are there for those who WANT it. Illinios and Indiana have very limited social options. You are either in a Frat or not, and Frats weild much more social power. This social power also allows their hazing to go well beyond what occurs at Wisconsin. Madison is wonderful in that the majority of students avoid the Frat scene in its entirety. Please spend your time making the non greek scene stronger, instead of making others weaker. Frats respect your choices, and you should respect theirs. Don't let your resentment about something you don't enjoy, impeded on that of others. Class of 2002.
Anonymous (October 11, 2007 @ 8:54pm):
That's laughable. IFC is RUN by houses like Sig Ep and DU. Big houses determine what goes on.
Oh, and AEPi, yeah great reputation. How was that trip to the Dells last year? Ha. Judging from the quality of your guys, it'll only take a year or two more before you go back to the ol' date rape drugs.
Anonymous (October 12, 2007 @ 12:36am):
"The "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality displayed here by many commenters on this and past articles is indicative of a great bias toward Alpha Epsilon Pi and the Greek system in general."
It's not bias when even the Greeks admit they're guilty, but they got off scot free anyway.
Anonymous (October 12, 2007 @ 3:52pm):
"it'll only take a year or two more before you go back to the ol' date rape drugs."
As a former President of Alpha Epsilon Pi, I take serious offense to this comment. How can you seriously have the balls to type BS like that? You don't know what goes on in the walls of 210 Langdon, and judging by how big of a moron you seem to be, it would be impossible for you to ever know, because we would never allow such a loser like yourself to enter the greatness that is Alpha Epsilon Pi.
Our men are of the highest integrity and character, and I have never once heard of one of our brothers being involved with date rape drugs, so don't accuse us of ridiculous things that you yourself probably give to yourself.
There I said it, 8:54 pm uses date rape drugs on girls, and sometimes guys. What a jerk, stay away from him.
Anonymous (October 15, 2007 @ 12:56pm):
You are all ridiculous! Everyone is so quickly to judge fraternities in UW. They do nothing that other student don't paticipate. What about mifflin street block party? If every frat house on lagdon had a block party, all of you people would give a reason for expulsion. The reason you all are close-minded is because you don't take the time to actually sit down and get to know anyone in the greek system.
In regards to AEPi - They have not gotten anymore allegations of hazing then any other fraternity has. They have been a model fraternity that can equally balance their social, phillantropic, and education aspects. Let's not forget that they have had the highest GPA of any fraternity for nearly a decade.
Put down your pitch forks and torches and ask yourself, do I even know the real details of the case?.. Before you are so quick to judge.
Anonymous (October 15, 2007 @ 2:16pm):
There are too many AEPi haters out there. Just the other week, I saw these two dudes run out of the AEPi house carrying some of the fraternity's old composit pictures.
Mitch Goltz Eta Deuteron (October 15, 2007 @ 4:52pm):
I was the one responsible for putting AEPi on the map in 2000 when we set out to break the Guinness World Record for longest aluminum can chain. After this endeavor, our chapter grew to be one of the largest on campus. We had some of the best and most successful Halloween parties in the history of UW. I have to say that all of these accusations are silly and dumbfounded. You clearly were never invited to these events, I can assure all of you "haters" that everything done within our house was legal, safe and fun. Just because you didnt have what it took to get an offer from our house doesnt give you the right to make things up. We only carry out rituals that date back to the founding fathers of our fraternity almost one hundred years ago. So before you accuse us of anything more than being the smartest house on campus and creating lifelong friendships, ESPONDA baby, think about whether these world famous AEPi alumni would have done these foolish things which you suggest. Alumni such as Wolf Blitzer, Jerry Lewis, Art Garfunkel, James Brooks, Jerry Reinsdorf, Gene Wilder, Steve Stone, Paul Simon, Jesse Zarouk, and acclaimed New York Soap Opera actor, Justin Saper all took part in our rituals. I am not a historian, but i dont believe that things such as date rape drugs existed back in the days of good ole' Hyman Shulman, Isador Glaser and the eleven founding fathers who created our great fraternity. Watch yourself, my outsider. Our brothers are in every city and every court room throughout America. We dont take well to haters!
Mitch Goltz (October 15, 2007 @ 5:03pm):
AEPI would never resort to drugging girls into hanging out. With the exception of a few straglers, we are a really, really, rediculously good looking house. Sororities used to line up to have events with us. Besides that, we are funny, smart, have great personalities and know how to respect a woman, all of which you clearly lack judging by your comments.
Anonymous (October 15, 2007 @ 5:31pm):
While I agree with Mr. Goltz's comments, apparently one thing AEPI alumni can not do is spell "ridiculously" correct. But that does not mean we were not studious in our four years of time spent in Madison- right Beast?
Anonymous (October 15, 2007 @ 5:51pm):
While the Beast brings up some good points AEPi still sucks. True the fraternity always posts the highest GPA on campus, and throws great parties. It is also true that many of UW's most successful and powerful alumni are former AEPi members.
But this does not take away the fact that many members of the AEPi house do unbelievably stupid things to "honor" its frantenrity traditions. One guy I know once ate eleven quarter-pound cheesburgers (fully-dressed) to honor the eleven founding fathers of the AEPi fraternity. That's almost three pounds of Beef!!!
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