Fraternity expels students accused of hate crimes, assault at Salisbury University
Published in News & Features
BALTIMORE — Sigma Alpha Epsilon expelled the students in their organization who are accused of being involved in a hate crime incident in October at Salisbury University in Wicomico, a spokesperson for the national organization said Monday.
“Sigma Alpha Epsilon was disappointed to learn about the events described in Salisbury University’s recent communications, in which former members of our organization were involved in an incident on campus. These individuals’ actions do not align with the values of our organization or reflect the principles of our Fraternity’s creed, The True Gentleman,” David Pascarella, director of communications for the organization, said in a statement.
“Upon learning of the allegations, SAE acted swiftly, expelling the members involved,” the statement said. “We remain committed to fostering an environment of respect, integrity, and belonging — values that are fundamental to both our chapter and SAE nationwide.”
The action comes after 12 students from Salisbury were arrested and charged last week. Four of the 12 Salisbury University students who allegedly assaulted and called anti-gay slurs a man on Oct. 15 are from Anne Arundel County. Police said the incident took place in an off-campus apartment in the 1400 block of University Terrace, where the group used the LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr to lure the victim “under false pretenses” and then filmed the assault.
The victim is not a student at Salisbury, said Jason Rhodes, spokesperson for the school, said previously.
In response to the arrests, Salisbury placed the 12 students on interim suspension which is “the most severe form of discipline possible until the outcome of the criminal investigation,” Rhodes said in an email Nov 7. Under interim suspension, a student is no longer permitted in class, in-person or online, in their residence hall or on any university property. Carolyn Lepre, president of Salisbury, indicated in a statement posted to X last week that some of those arrested were members of a campus fraternity.
The school placed Sigma Alpha Epsilon on suspension Nov. 7 after five more students were arrested in connection with the incident. It remains unclear how many students involved were members of the fraternity.
“Sigma Alpha Epsilon condemns hate and violence in any form, and we are disappointed that members of our chapter were involved in such an act. The Fraternity Service Center has reviewed the circumstances surrounding the incident and has confirmed that it was isolated to the expelled individuals. The remaining members of our chapter are devoted to our mission and continue to uphold the high standards expected of Sigma Alpha Epsilon,” the fraternity said in their statement.
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