A concerning video from the University of Iowa has been shared widely online, depicting a hazing event where a college pledge is blindfolded and doused in an unidentified substance while in a basement.
Body camera footage recorded on November 15, 2024, captures police and firefighters reacting to a fire alarm at the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity house. According to reports, officers from both the Iowa City Police Department and the University of Iowa Police found 56 individuals in the basement, many blindfolded, some without shirts, and several smeared with brown, white, and red materials.
In the footage, officers attempt to clarify the situation by engaging with the person overseeing the gathering. One officer is heard saying, “Guys, this stops here,” and seeks to identify who’s in charge. The young people, however, remain silent and still in the dimly lit space.
Despite repeated requests for clarification and action, one officer commented on the lack of movement among the individuals, expressing frustration that they were clearly taking the situation seriously. A young man, standing at the entrance with a drink, identified himself and humorously suggested, “I think it’s fake” when asked about his ID.
As they continued, an officer directed a flashlight towards a group and inquired about their situation. Responses were vague, with one person dismissively stating, “It’s just water.” The conversation then shifted to a fraternity member who explained that the activities were part of an initiation ritual that involved manipulation while being blindfolded.
Officials expressed dissatisfaction over the failure to evacuate amidst the fire alarm, indicating that the incident, described by officers as unclear, would be thoroughly documented in their report for the university’s review.
Following an investigation by the University of Iowa, it was determined that Alpha Delta Phi had violated hazing policies. Consequently, the fraternity was suspended on February 25, 2025, with the earliest possible reinstatement set for July 2029. While one individual was initially charged with obstruction of public business, those charges were eventually dropped.
After the university’s suspension, the fraternity’s national office launched its own investigation and contested the university’s ruling, claiming that only two members were at fault. The Alpha Delta Phi fraternity publicly acknowledged the incident, affirming its commitment to a strict anti-hazing stance. They noted that after the event, an independent investigation was carried out, leading to the removal of those responsible and a renewed focus on anti-hazing education across their organization.
