The Office of Student Conduct placed Emory’s chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) on interim suspension after an incident involving alcohol and possible hazing, according to a Feb. 18 University statement.
Residence Life staff responded to the incident at 17 Eagle Row, the AEPi house, on Feb. 12. AEPi national headquarters placed the chapter on cease and desist the next day, the University statement said.
The Office of Student Conduct’s investigation is “separate” but “parallel” to the national headquarters’ investigation. The Student Conduct investigation is reviewing the “health and safety of the students involved,” according to the statement.
Interfraternity Council President Alex Dobosh (20B) wrote in a Feb. 19 email to Emory fraternity members that hazing would not be tolerated.
“I understand the importance of tradition. I understand the importance of building connection around the rituals of our fraternities. However, there is no tradition or bonding activity that should make individuals feel unsafe or degraded,” Dobosh wrote. “It is unfortunate to see chapters suspended as a result of hazing.”
Emory’s anti-hazing policy states that “Emory University prohibits hazing of any kind.”
Former AEPi President Michael Silver (20B), who served as the chapter’s president between January and February 2019, declined to comment. Acting AEPi President John Stark (21B) also declined to comment, directing the Wheel to the national headquarters, which did not respond.
Last month, former AEPi President Joel Sharpe (20B) was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine. Sharpe received medical amnesty for Emory code of conduct violations because he was seeking medical attention for an intoxicated individual, his attorney previously told the Wheel. Criminal charges against Sharpe are still pending.
