BALTIMORE – Sigma Alpha Epsilon has expelled from its organization the students accused of being involved in an October hate crime incident at Salisbury University in Wicomico, a spokesperson for the national organization said Monday.
“Sigma Alpha Epsilon was disappointed to learn of the events described in Salisbury University’s recent communications involving former members of our organization in an on-campus incident. The actions of these individuals do not align with the values of our organization or reflect the tenets 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 quickly and expelled 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 across the country.”
The action comes after twelve students from Salisbury were arrested and charged last week. Four of the 12 Salisbury University students who allegedly assaulted a man and used anti-gay slurs on Oct. 15 are from Anne Arundel County. Police said the incident took place at 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 film the attack.
The victim is not a Salisbury student, school spokesman Jason Rhodes previously said.
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 a Nov. 7 email. Under provisional suspension, a student is no longer allowed in class, in person or online, at their residence or on any university property. Salisbury President Carolyn Lepre indicated in a statement to X last week that some of those arrested were members of a campus fraternity.
The school suspended Sigma Alpha Epsilon on 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 hatred and violence in any form, and we are disappointed that members of our chapter were involved in such an act. The Fraternity Service Center investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident and confirmed that it only affected the expelled individuals. The remaining members of our chapter are committed to our mission and continue to maintain the high standards expected of Sigma Alpha Epsilon,” the fraternity said in their statement.
_____
