2 Rowan frat members suspended for posting sex video
GLASSBORO, N.J. -- Rowan University has suspended two male students for posting online a sexually explicit video involving a female student.
University spokesman Joe Cardona said the college found out about the video last Friday after two students reported it to the administration.
The students told a college employee they read postings and saw a video on a social media site about a "possible sexual assault" that happened at a house rented by the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity, Cardona said.
Cardona noted the university immediately began to investigate the matter. The video had already been taken down from the Internet when those involved were identified two hours later, he said.
Rowan's college newspaper, The Whit, was the first to break the story.
"Two students have been put on interim suspension," Cardona said. "The male who took part in the video and posted it, as well as the male who taped the incident."
The two male students were part of the TKE fraternity. University officials said all three students involved are adults, but refused to release their names at this time.
He added the female student said the sexual act was consensual; however, it is unclear if she agreed to be taped or for it to be shared online.
Cardona said the individual who taped the event claimed he thought the two individuals knew they were being videotaped.
The female student did not press charges.
"Being that she lived off campus we were called, but she made it clear she wanted no police involvement," said Glassboro Police Lt. Robert Hale.
Cardona said the university will decide its next course of action at a hearing Friday. The students could face disciplinary action by the university, but they will not be criminally charged.
"We did not charge the students because the female did not want to file a complaint," Cardona wrote in an email Thursday. "That does not, however, deny us the ability to charge the students administratively."
CEO of TKE Donald E. Aldrich wrote in a message on the organization's website Tuesday that the students involved have been suspended from the fraternity pending an investigation.
"I want to make it crystal clear on behalf of the leadership of Tau Kappa Epsilon, that illegal behaviors will not be tolerated," wrote Aldrich.
Aggressive anti-sexual violence programs have been instituted at Rowan in the past five years. In April, the college held a daylong campaign to promote sexual assault awareness, support silent victims and unveil its participation in Pact5, a national anti-assault initiative.