Temple University suspended a fraternity chapter, increased police presence and warned the campus Friday that the school had received multiple disturbing allegations about the fraternity.
In an “Important Safety Announcement” to the campus, university officials said they had received “multiple credible reports from various sources alleging underage drinking, the excessive use of alcohol, possibly drugs and sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, during social activities at Alpha Epsilon Pi” and that they were suspending the fraternity’s right to operate.
The university is increasing its police presence in the area, officials said in the announcement. The school added these cautions:
“If you are of age and you choose to drink alcohol, do not leave any beverage unattended, and be wary of accepting drinks from others.” Officials warned friends to stay together when socializing “and leave no one behind.” They noted the amnesty policy that allows students — without facing university discipline — to seek medical treatment for the effects of drug or alcohol abuse.
“If you are suspicious of what a drink might contain or concerned about the impact it’s having on a friend, seek medical help immediately,” the university’s alert said. “Signs to look for include dizziness and/or nausea, memory loss, breathing or motion difficulties, and acting disproportionately intoxicated relative to the amount of alcohol consumed.”
Ray Betzner, a spokesman for the private university in Philadelphia, said that university officials could not say more but that an investigation is ongoing.
“We have received information from the community, and we’re encouraging the community to keep that process going,” Betzner said. The university’s police department is one of the largest in the state, he noted, and works with the Philadelphia Police Department’s special victims unit.
A leader from the fraternity’s chapter at Temple did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday, but the group posted a statement on Instagram saying it had no knowledge of the alleged actions, would cooperate fully with the investigation and hoped people would not jump to conclusions before the investigation is complete.
The fraternity is based on Jewish values, the group’s Instagram statement said, and believes in treating all people with respect. The fraternity’s statement called the allegations “appalling.”
Jonathan Pierce, a past international president of Alpha Epsilon Pi International Fraternity who is a spokesman for the group, said: “We are aware of the rumors and the nature of the investigation by Temple University Police and the local authorities and continue to cooperate fully with both. The university has asked us not to conduct our own investigation and, to date, we have received no other official notice from the university. We are, obviously, very concerned about these allegations as they have no place in Alpha Epsilon Pi.”
Pierce said the national organization suspended all activities of the Temple chapter nearly three weeks ago.
“Alpha Epsilon Pi is a fraternity based in Jewish values, and anyone associated with such alleged behavior has no place in our fraternity and will be removed immediately,” he said. “In the meantime, we will continue to cooperate fully with all appropriate authorities and investigations.”
The student newspaper at Temple, the Temple News, reported that the university’s Panhellenic Council “will no longer associate with the fraternity.”