Shutdown SAE Texas Rho (UT)

A former exchange student is suing the Texas Rho chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity for personal injury damages.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is not a registered student organization and is not affiliated with the University. The chapter was suspended in 2017 due to hazing violations. The chapter reached an agreement to realign with SAE in April 2022 and is continuing to operate outside of university jurisdiction. The lawsuit lists SAE as compliant despite it not being officially recognized by the university.
On Mar. 3, 2023, Australian exchange student Julian Ascione and his girlfriend attended a party at the SAE house which Ascione believed was open to the public. The fraternity did not charge a door fee or restrict entrance, according to the original petition.

At the party, Ascione’s girlfriend left to use the restroom. While gone, two SAE members approached Ascione and told him to leave. Ascione agreed to leave and the fraternity members gave him permission to stay until his girlfriend returned, according to the court document.
While waiting for his girlfriend, a different group of fraternity members demanded Ascione leave the party, according to the petition.
“The group appeared intoxicated and were getting aggressive,” the petition said. “(Ascione) was struck in the face and taken to the ground. (His) leg was dislocated, ligaments were broken, his tibia fractured, and his nose broken. … When the assault was over, the fraternity boys refused to call an ambulance and instead told (Ascione) to walk home.”

www.change.org/shutdownrho (Please sign the petition)