BC-US--IU Fraternity Suspended,3rd Ld-Writethru/147
Eds: APNewsNow. Adds detail about chapter suspended at another Indiana school this year. Will be updated.
Indiana University suspends fraternity in hazing probe
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Indiana University says it has suspended the local chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity while it investigates a sexually explicit video purportedly showing the hazing of a pledge.
School spokesman Mark Land said in a statement Thursday that he can't "confirm the contents" of the video but that the school immediately suspended the fraternity's local chapter Wednesday night "given the seriousness of the allegations and the purported content of the video."
Alpha Tau Omega's national CEO Wynn Smiley says in a statement the video "is highly offensive" and "vulgar" and that if confirmed "swift disciplinary action will be taken" against those involved.
In June, the Indiana State University in Terre Haute suspended the fraternity for violations including hosting unauthorized events, providing alcohol to minors and tampering with fire-suppression equipment.
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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com
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Statement from Alpha Tau Omega
National Fraternity Chief Executive Officer Wynn Smiley
“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.”
