PHILADELPHIA _ Temple University has suspended one of its fraternities as Philadelphia and campus police investigate at least two sexual assaults at fraternity parties.
Temple police said they had received "multiple credible reports" of alleged crimes at Alpha Epsilon Pi's house. The allegations include sexual assault, underage drinking, and possible drug use.
Two of the alleged victims are 19-year-old Temple students.
The first alleged victim was sexually assaulted at a party in February and reported the incident to police in April. This case has been referred to the District Attorney's Office, said Philadelphia Police Capt. Mark Burgmann, who heads the Special Victims Unit.
The second alleged victim told police that in March she went to a party at the fraternity where she was given several drinks.
"She said she became dizzy and disoriented, and that's the last thing she remembered until she woke up in bed with one of the members of the fraternity," Burgmann said at a news conference Friday.
"She believes she was sexually assaulted," he said.
A third alleged victim spoke with Temple police recently. Burgmann said he didn't have details about the incident, but hoped detectives will be able to speak the woman next week. No charges have been filed and Burgmann couldn't say whether detectives have names of possible suspects.
In a statement, Alpha Epsilon Pi said the fraternity members "are appalled by these allegations against our entire chapter. This alleged behavior is absolutely against everything that we stand for as brothers of AEPI, as students at Temple University, and as members of our greater community."
The statement further said that the fraternity had "absolutely no knowledge of the actions alleged about our chapter. If we determine that one of our members is responsible _ or even has knowledge of who internally or externally is responsible _ we will deal with them to the full extent of our powers, including beginning expulsion proceedings from the fraternity and turning them over to local and school authorities."
Temple urged students to be vigilant.
If students are of age to drink alcohol, they should not leave any beverage unattended, the Temple statement said.
When socializing, students should make a pact to stay together and not leave anyone behind, Burgmann said. "If you go to a party together, leave together," he said.
