Police are investigating suspected illegal hazing after approximately 30 young men, many of them partially clothed and covered in food, condiments, and other liquids, were found in the basement of a fraternity house near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The men, described by police as pledges of the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity, were found with signs of possible physical assault. The incident came after an anonymous tip led police to the fraternity house on Wednesday night. Two 20-year-old members of the fraternity were arrested on tentative misdemeanor charges of hazing and disorderly conduct, though no formal charges had been filed by Friday morning. The university has said it is taking the case seriously and has launched its own investigation. The university released a statement saying it is fully committed to preventing and addressing hazing and that it takes all incidents involving its community seriously. Any student found to have broken the law or university policy could face sanctions ranging from a written reprimand to expulsion. Police released a photo of the basement, showing about two dozen men, all shirtless, with trash and debris scattered on the ground. The faces in the photo were blurred, and the thermostat had been set to 81°F, creating hot and humid conditions. The walls of the basement were painted black, and most of the people present were 18 years old. The AEPi fraternity was no longer recognized as a student organization on the UW-Madison campus after its status was terminated in 2015. This followed several incidents, including a 2013 suspension for hosting a party where a 17-year-old and another person were taken to detox after consuming alcohol. Since 2016, there have been seven additional allegations involving the fraternity, including issues related to intramural sports, disrespectful behavior, drinking, and hazing. Despite being terminated by the university, the fraternity remains affiliated with its national organization and continues to operate independently. National fraternity spokesperson Jon Pierce said his organization is taking the allegations "very seriously" and will fully cooperate with investigations. Any member found to have participated in the alleged hazing will be expelled from the fraternity. "Hazing is a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for," Pierce said. "There is no place for it in AEPi. No exceptions. No excuses." The investigation by police and the university’s office of student conduct and community standards is ongoing.