ANN ARBOR—A decision about the status of a University of Michigan fraternity involved in a hazing incident this week will likely be made in January, fraternity and University officials announced today (Dec. 9).

University staff and representatives of the Alpha Epsilon Pi National Fraternity are investigating the Dec. 5 shooting of a first-year student who was pledging the fraternity. They will work collaboratively over the coming month to gather additional information about the fraternity’s Ann Arbor chapter before reaching a final decision about the status of the chapter.

A major factor in extending the process is to ensure that students, whom officials want to interview, may focus on their studies and upcoming final examinations for the fall semester, said John Mountz, U-M adviser for Greek life. The process is expected to be completed by early January.

In the interim, Mountz said, the fraternity chapter remains on suspension and is prohibited from holding any meetings or activities, other than those associated with this particular issue.

An investigation is being conducted by the Ann Arbor Police Department into the incident, in which a first-year student who was pledging the fraternity was shot in the groin area during a hazing ritual.

“Acts of hazing are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Royster Harper, U-M interim vice president for student affairs. “Our policies clearly state—and Greek organizations are aware—that we will not permit this type of activity on campus.”

“Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity shares the University of Michigan’s stance on hazing,” said Sidney Dunn, executive vice president of the Alpha Epsilon Pi National Fraternity. “Hazing is an abhorrent practice and completely inconsistent with the values of our fraternity.”