Andrew Lohse, a 36-year-old author and survivor of fraternity hazing, asserted that a "code of omertà"—a vow of silence—becomes necessary when an organization operates akin to a criminal enterprise. Lohse's comments specifically addressed the culture within fraternities, an environment he explored in his book, "Confessions of an Ivy League Frat Boy."
During his time as a student at Dartmouth, Lohse gained recognition as a whistleblower for revealing the severe initiation rituals he reportedly experienced as a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Recent reports detailing the unexplained deaths of two University of Mississippi students—one affiliated with a fraternity—and allegations of a cocaine distribution network within a Penn State fraternity immediately brought Lohse back to his own experiences as a fraternity brother.
Recent Incidents Highlight Concerns
At the University of Mississippi, one of the two students found deceased recently was identified as Ryan Strang, a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Strang was discovered at an off-campus residence. Investigators located packages of kratom, a substance sometimes referred to as "gas station heroin" due to its commercial availability and perceived effects, at both death scenes. The specific involvement of kratom in either death has not yet been determined.
Phi Delta Theta has not faced any accusations of misconduct in connection with these events. The fraternity issued a statement, conveying its sorrow: "The loss of two young lives is a profound tragedy. Phi Delta Theta joins the University of Mississippi and the broader Ole Miss community in mourning Robert and Aidan Hamilton and extending our deepest sympathies to their families, friends, chapter brothers, classmates, and all those who knew and loved them."
The statement continued, emphasizing the broader implications: "These losses reinforce the importance of a collective commitment to health, safety, and well-being on college campuses today. We encourage the Phi Delta Theta community to keep the Strang family, the Mississippi Alpha Chapter, and everyone affected by these tragic losses in their thoughts."
Lohse noted that the landscape of illicit substances has drastically changed since his college years. He recalled, "There was no kratom, no tranq, no smoking bath salts, no fentanyl. Back then, the cocaine was more or less just cocaine. It wasn't like every time somebody did cocaine they could die."
Meanwhile, at Penn State, court documents indicate that prosecutors have accused pledges of being compelled to process cocaine for an alleged organized drug trafficking operation. This ring was reportedly headed by Agostino Abbatiello, a former member of Sigma Chi.
Reflecting on these allegations, Lohse remarked, "When I was reading that the pledges were in the background doing that, I thought that was sort of amazing – but in a bad way, but also extremely brazen."
Hazing Allegations Emerge in Wisconsin
Further attention was drawn to fraternity practices in Madison, Wisconsin, where law enforcement officers reportedly discovered approximately 30 partially clothed young men crammed into a hot basement. The individuals were covered in various food items, condiments, and other liquids, with several pledges displaying indications of physical assault.
The Madison Police Department reported that officers responded to the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) house on a recent Wednesday evening. An investigation into the hazing incident is currently underway, and two individuals have been taken into custody.
Jonathan Pierce, Alpha Epsilon Pi's chief communications officer, released a statement addressing the situation: "AEPi Headquarters takes the allegations involving our Pi Chapter in Madison, Wisconsin, extremely seriously. We will cooperate fully with the authorities investigating this matter."
Pierce reiterated the fraternity's stance against such behavior, stating, "Hazing is a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for. There is no place for it in AEPi. No exceptions. No excuses. We educate our members about their responsibility to ‘Be Your Brothers’ Keeper.’ This is not an optional value."
Commenting on the recent news concerning fraternity conduct, Lohse expressed a broader sense of dismay. "It's a sad moment, for society, civilization," he observed, lamenting that "These organizations should be forces of good. Young men need it more than ever. Young men are more adrift than ever, there's no moral leadership."
He further suggested a societal void, stating, "There's a vacuum in the center of higher education and American society that used to be filled by God, by religion, by the church," and added that this space is now "totally vacant."
The Whistleblower's Personal Account
Lohse recounted his own experiences during his pledging period at Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He described being compelled to "swim in a kiddie pool full of vomit while being urinated on," and to "chug" substantial amounts of vinegar or milk until he and other pledges "would vomit" in a tarp-covered room. Additionally, he stated he was forced into a confined basement crawl space for an extended duration. These incidents occurred alongside persistent coerced binge drinking, which he characterized as consuming "like 10, 15 plus drinks."
Lohse attributes the recurrence of hazing and drug-related problems within fraternities to an unspoken "code of silence" or "omertà." He contended that "The original 19th-century concept of the American fraternity is not what exists today."
He further elaborated on his view of contemporary Greek organizations: "Essentially, you can look at a modern fraternity like a criminal organization. In most states, the unique behavioral attributes of a fraternity cross into criminal statutes—whether misdemeanor hazing or serious felony drug trafficking. You need a code of silence to protect that."
He added that such organizations compel members "to compromise their own identity for the collective, taking something from its members to ensure the system perpetuates itself over time."
The hazing incidents that occurred during Lohse's student years led to Sigma Alpha Epsilon's suspension from Dartmouth for a decade. The fraternity was reportedly re-recognized in August, according to the student newspaper at Dartmouth.
Reflecting on Greek Life's "Opportunity Cost"
When asked for advice for students contemplating Greek life at universities, Lohse refrained from outright discouraging participation. Instead, he recommended that young men carefully assess the "opportunity cost" before committing to a fraternity.
Lohse urged prospective students to consider the potential downsides: "Consider that the upside benefit, while maybe not zero, pales in comparison to the downside risk." He advised them to deeply reflect on their aspirations for higher education.
"Think about what you actually want out of college," he suggested. "Who do you really want to be around, and who is actually going to be there to help you? I think you'll find that a fraternity isn't going to provide that."
Regarding the deaths of the University of Mississippi students, a Greek life spokesperson conveyed sorrow, stating: "We are heartbroken by the loss of two University of Mississippi students, one of whom was a fraternity member. Our sympathies are with both families and the Ole Miss community. We will continue working with universities and families to keep every student safe."