In early December, as orientation for new members was ending for the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, allegations of hazing were just beginning.
On Dec. 13, 2004, campus police received a complaint of "hazing, indecent assault, and the posting of photographs on a Web site depicting members engaged in racial writings, anti-Semitic writings and indecent assault on Dec. 5 inside the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity," which is located on 2012 N. Broad St.
Captain Robert M. Lowell of Temple's Investigations Unit refused to describe the symbols in detail, which were drawn on one of the fraternity's 13 new members accepted during the fall semester, but said there was "homophobic writing, racial slur writings and anti-Semitic symbols drawn on the individual ... as well as the exposure of the penis and what appeared to be the insertion of a marker into the cheeks of the individual's buttocks."
An anonymous tip led police to the photographs, which were posted on the Internet by one of the fraternity's members. Police identified eight members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity in the photographs, including the victim, who had become a brother the night before.
"The individual in the photograph[s] was obviously not responding as a result of alcohol and was not aware of what was taking place or what was happening," Lowell said.
After assessing 30 or 31 photographs, which according to Lowell depicted "a whole series of events" throughout the night, campus police categorized the entire period as an act of hazing. They referred the case to the University Disciplinary Committee as well as Philadelphia's District Attorney's Office to determine if an arrest should be made. Lowell said the district attorney has yet to decide whether the incident violated state anti-hazing laws.
Fraternity initiation photos made public - Temple News - News
