The UTSA chapter of Alpha Tau Omega has been formally sanctioned by UTSA for hazing following separate investigations by UTSAPD and the Student Conduct and Community Standards office. Alpha Tau Omega is allowed to operate on campus after the conclusion of the investigation. The incident occurred in 2022, but was not reported until May 2024.
Alpha Tau Omega, “America’s leadership development fraternity,” was founded at the Virginia Military Institute in 1865. The UTSA chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, Iota Epsilon, was established in 1988 and is one of about 250 active or inactive chapters operating in the United States and its territories.
According to the UTSA website, both university policy and state law prohibit hazing. “The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include students at an educational institution.”
A source close to the investigation disclosed that Alpha Tau Omega pledges were allegedly waterboarded, forced to perform unwanted responsibilities/tasks for active members in the fraternity, forced to furnish alcohol to minors, forced to participate in a “Hell Week” to end pledgeship and held in a dark room for hours, where no food, water or communication devices were made readily available, among other actions.
The alleged incident in question occurred in 2022. A complaint alleging that Alpha Tau Omega members engaged in hazing was made in May 2024 to the UTSA Student Involvement Center, as well as the Student Conduct and Community Standards office. This complaint led to two independent but concurrent investigations into the allegations, one by UTSAPD and one by the Student Conduct and Community Standards office.
“We take allegations of student misconduct very seriously,” said Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Affairs Joe Izbrand. “The UTSA Police Department has fully investigated this matter, which reportedly occurred in Fall 2022 and was reported to us this past May, and has filed a case with the District Attorney’s office for review.”
The Paisano contacted the Bexar County District Attorney’s office regarding UTSAPD’s investigation into the incident but did not receive a reply.
The UTSA Interfraternity Council, the governing body for men’s fraternities that are not culturally-based, released this statement regarding the investigation.
“IFC does not stand with the allegations, and will work with UTSA to come up with a solution if the chapter is deemed guilty.”
Duke Saenz, the president of the Iota Epsilon chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, declined The Paisano’s request for an interview but released this statement regarding the incident.
“Our chapter was under investigation by UTSAPD and UTSA for a short period this summer, but all investigations have been closed, and we were acquitted of all allegations.”
According to Izbrand, the investigation conducted by the Student Conduct and Community Standards office concluded that Iota Epsilon as an organization was responsible for an individual case of hazing, but no individual member of the organization was responsible based on the information gathered.
As a result of the Student Conduct and Community Standards office investigation, Alpha Tau Omega was issued a disciplinary warning, and was sanctioned by the university. “Those sanctions include required participation in community service projects, hazing education training workshops, and other risk management and leadership development sessions,” Izbrand stated.
Regarding the sanctions, Saenz stated, “We respect the university’s decisions following a thorough investigation. Our organization remains committed to supporting UTSA and will continue to meet all guidelines and expectations moving forward. We are very appreciative of all the support given by UTSA.”
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