“The misconduct findings range from physical violence, hazing, and underage drinking, to providing assistance to and perpetuating the activities of an unrecognized group engaged in prohibited conduct,” the statement said.

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In total, 18 students were dismissed, and a 19th was placed on disciplinary probation.

“This group has perpetuated and systematically presented a threat to the safety and well-being of our students,” Fanta Aw, American University’s interim vice president of campus life, said in the statement.

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Epsilon Iota is not an officially recognized student group at AU. It was previously the AU chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega national fraternity, but years ago, the chapter surrendered its charter and the university formally withdrew its recognition of the group as a fraternity.

The 13,000-student university still doesn’t recognize Epsilon Iota, but it has operated underground at the school. AU discourages students from joining the group.

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Wynn Smiley, chief executive officer for Alpha Tau Omega, said that his organization “has never had and does not now have [a] connection” with the underground student group.

Epsilon Iota also drew attention in 2014 after offensive emails and documents that appeared to be connected to the group leaked, prompting a university investigation. At the time, the messages sparked an outcry. An online petition called on the university to suspend the students who had taken part in the emails.

Since 2010, more than 60 students who were affiliated with Epsilon Iota have been charged with student conduct code violations at American.