Temple University announced April 20 that it has suspended Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity in the wake of several allegations, including sexual assault.
“The university has 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,” according to the university’s police department.
The rights and privileges of the fraternity (known as AEPi) were suspended pending investigations by both the university and Philadelphia police.
Temple also said it has increased the police presence “in various areas including the 2000 block of Broad Street” during the investigation.
AEPi said it would cooperate with the investigation.
“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,” said Jonathan Pierce, a past international president of AEPi and the fraternity’s media spokesman. “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.
“We suspended all activities of our Temple University group nearly three weeks ago and have directed that no non-members of the fraternity are allowed in the fraternity house pending the outcome of these investigations. 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.”
