IU fraternity closed after ‘vulgar’ video of sex act surfaces
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) – An Indiana University fraternity has been shut down over a video that appeared online.
The university said Wednesday night that Alpha Tau Omega was suspended after the disturbing video starting making the rounds online. The video appears to shows a young man performing a sex act on a woman, as crowds of other men cheer him on.
Thursday afternoon, the national offices of Alpha Tau Omega announced it was shutting down the chapter.
Reddit and Twitter accounts posted the 30-second video that shows someone being forced to perform a sex act. IU officials said the video, which appears to be credible, supports those allegations. In the video, you can also see what look to be large bottles of alcohol throughout the crowd.
IU tweeted out a statement late Wednesday night, just less than hour after the video was posted.
In a letter to the fraternity president, IU officials said ATO “presents a substantial risk to members of the university community.” Officials also warned the fraternity against any retaliation toward the people who file complaints. Under the university suspension, ATO is not allowed to host or attend social events. It is also not allowed to add new members.
On Thursday morning ATO released the following statement:
“Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity has suspended all operations of the Delta Alpha chapter at Indiana University as we begin our investigation. We are working with the University. The video is highly offensive and is antithetical to the values of Alpha Tau Omega. If confirmed, swift disciplinary action will be taken. The men who were a part of such a vulgar incident do not represent the fraternity and damage the fraternity’s name for thousands of ATO undergraduates and alumni across the country.”
Wynn Smiley, the national Alpha Tau Omega CEO, spoke with 24-Hour News 8 Thursday morning. Smiley said that ATO had suspended its IU chapter. That meant all operations were frozen.
It’s unclear what will happen with the members who lived in the house. Smiley said the local chapter was not on any kind of probation that he was aware of.
Just after noon Thursday, an updated statement was released saying the chapter had been closed:
The National Office of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity has revoked the charter and closed the Delta Alpha chapter at Indiana University following the release of a highly inappropriate and vulgar video.
The video from a smartphone shows a sex act that occurred last week. The event was unauthorized involving about half of the chapter’s membership. The National Fraternity investigation revealed the 21 year old man in the video was an initiated member, not a pledge, and the two women in the video were exotic dancers hired by one of the members. Our investigation revealed that no pledge was compelled to participate. Regardless, the actions are contrary to the ideals and principles of Alpha Tau Omega and are highly offensive.
The National Fraternity, with strong encouragement from local alumni advisors, investigated the incident and took swift disciplinary action. The revocation of the charter means the chapter is closed, effective immediately and all chapter activities must cease. The National Fraternity will continue to work closely with Indiana University officials.
IU said they applauded the national chapter’s “swift and strong action and is in full agreement with the decision.” They said they will continue to investigate the issue.
“It’s the talk of the town,” said Zach Schabem while walking to class. “I haven’t met anyone that hasn’t heard about it yet.”
“It’s pretty unacceptable, something like that,” said Zach Hall while walking by the fraternity’s house. “I saw the video. It’s pretty graphic but definitely something they should be kicked off campus (for).”
“I think its appalling and degrading,” said Suzie Wilcox after watching the video. “It’s gross. It shouldn’t be acceptable.”
It’s unclear what will happen with the members who lived in the house. The house is not owned by the school. Fraternity letters were taken down Thursday afternoon, and a tarp was placed over a sign in the front yard.
Some thought the fraternity moved too quickly.
“If anyone involved was uncomfortable, then yeah, it’s wrong,” said Elice Berclaz. “But otherwise I just think its kind of being blown out of proportion.”
Most recently, ATO was on probation from Oct. 10, 2014 – May, 31 2015 for alcohol-related sanctions. It also had its social privileges restricted from Oct. 10, 2014 – Jan. 1, 2015 for the same issue.
24-Hour News 8 found an Indiana Daily Student article from this past April. The article talks about the fraternity’s record and reputation as a party house. The article said the IU chapter’s history includes seven ethics cases, four semesters of probation and an alleged rape at one of the fraternity’s parties.
The Indiana Daily student article reports ATO was almost kicked off campus in 2010 for hazing and serving alcohol to minors. According to the IDS, the members were forced to move out of the fraternity house.
The IDS reports the fraternity got its house back in 2012, but was back on disciplinary probation shortly after.
WISH-TV’s sister station WTHI reports the ATO chapter at Indiana State University was forced to shut down earlier this year after repeated violations including hosting events with alcohol and providing alcohol to minors.
Indiana University released this statement earlier Thursday:
On Oct. 7, allegations of hazing were brought against members of the Alpha Tau Omega chapter on the Indiana University Bloomington campus. The allegations, of which there appears to be credible video evidence, include a purported new chapter member being encouraged to perform a sex act on a female in the presence of several other chapter members.
Indiana University takes its responsibility to foster a culture of care and respect among the students on its campuses extremely seriously. If true, the alleged actions on the part of some members of the Alpha Tau Omega chapter run completely contrary to that commitment. They also would represent violations of the university’s student code of conduct and will not be tolerated.
As a result of these allegations, the decision was made to order the chapter to cease and desist all activities immediately pending a full investigation. Notification of the suspension was made to chapter leadership and to the ATO national leadership on the evening of Oct. 7.
The investigation is ongoing, and in order to preserve the integrity of the adjudicative process, the university will have no further comment at this time.
Below is the text of the letter sent to ATO chapter and national leadership from the IU Office of Student Life and Learning outlining the suspension decision.
Here is the full text of the letter Indiana University sent to the fraternity:
Alpha Tau Omega President,
Indiana University is committed to creating a student organization community that fosters a culture of care. Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) is alleged to have violated the student code of conduct — specifically for hazing activities which perpetuate sexual misconduct.
ATO is ordered to suspend all activities immediately. Suspension of activities has been imposed pending the outcome of this investigation because it has been alleged that your organization presents a substantial risk to members of the university community. Activity suspension prohibits hosting, attending, pairing, participating and sponsoring any new member, chapter or social activities or events until the final disposition of this case.
It is expected that ATO will fully cooperate with this investigation. Any acts impeding the disciplinary process are prohibited. The university prohibits retaliation against those who file complaints or otherwise participate in the disciplinary process. Violations include but are not limited to any type of phone call, voice mail message, personal contact, social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), text messaging, letter, email, message delivered by a third party, being in their presence or contact with others’ personal property. Failure to comply with this order will result in penalties, including, but not limited to, filing of additional charges under the Student Code of Conduct and loss of recognition.
This Immediate Suspension of Activities and Cease Contact Order is being copied to your organization’s advisors for assistance in determining the organization’s responsibility in the incidents.
Further, ATO is mandated to provide a complete roster of new and active members. This roster must include a full list of Fall 2015 new members and sent to Student Life and Learning by noon tomorrow.
Please cooperate fully with IUPD, Student Life and Learning and the Office of Student Ethics.
