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Indiana University suspended its chapter of Alpha Tau Omega after a video surfaced that allegedly showed the fraternity chapter at IU forcing pledges to perform oral sex on women. The explicit video was posted online and shared on social media Wednesday. It shows a group of men cheering on a young man -- clad only in boxer shorts -- as he engages in oral sex with a fully nude woman on a mattress. Other men, also wearing only underwear, sit on the floor nearby as the man on the mattress appears to struggle to push away from the woman.
In a letter informing the chapter of its suspension, the university wrote that the fraternity allegedly violated the student code of conduct by performing "hazing activities which perpetuate sexual misconduct."
"The allegations, of which there appears to be credible video evidence, include a purported new chapter member being encouraged to perform a sex act on a female in the presence of several other chapter members," the university said in a statement. "Indiana University takes its responsibility to foster a culture of care and respect among the students on its campuses extremely seriously. If true, the alleged actions on the part of some members of the Alpha Tau Omega chapter run completely contrary to that commitment."
Wynn Smiley, CEO of Alpha Tau Omega's national organization, released a statement Thursday, saying that "the video is highly offensive and is antithetical to the values" of the fraternity. ATO has a history of misconduct at IU, and recently spent four semesters on social probation. The chapter was once notorious on campus for throwing a now-discontinued annual lingerie party known as "Ménage à Tau."
