SU investigation tied September 2025 ZBT bias incident to SAE hazing
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Two Syracuse University students who were charged last year with hate crimes after one of them threw pork into a historically Jewish fraternity during Rosh Hashanah were participating in a Sigma Alpha Epsilon hazing ritual, an SU investigation found.
The university’s investigation, lasting from Jan. 29 to March 31, found an SAE group chat from SU’s chapter “encouraged one or more new members” to throw non-kosher food at the wall of another fraternity “with traditionally Jewish ties” in September 2025.
The two students were charged with burglary as a hate crime in the second degree and criminal nuisance in the second degree after one entered SU’s chapter of Zeta Beta Tau on Sept. 23, 2025, and threw pork inside, Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves said after the incident.
The university’s investigation of SAE didn’t directly name ZBT as the impacted fraternity, but the date and descriptions of the investigation match the September 2025 incident. A university spokesperson referred The Daily Orange to the Hazing Awareness Hub when asked for comment.
SU’s investigation was delayed at the direction of the Onondaga County District Attorney’s office, according to the Hazing Awareness Hub. The attorney’s office and Syracuse Police Department began their investigations on Sept. 23, 2025.
“This was an attack on our home, our values, and our safety, as well as every Jewish student on campus,” a September 2025 ZBT statement read. “Zeta Beta Tau does not stand for antisemitism or any form of hate within our community.”
SU’s chapters of ZBT and SAE, as well as their national organizations, did not respond to The D.O.’s request for comment.
The charges against Samuel Patten, the student who entered ZBT, were reduced to a criminal trespassing charge in the second degree, which Patten pled guilty to, according to a disposition letter obtained by The D.O.
The charges against Kyle Anderson, the student who drove Patten to and from the fraternity, were reduced to a single criminal trespassing charge in February.
“I hope new pledges can pause to think about their decisions and not be afraid to walk away,” Patten said in a court statement obtained by The D.O. “Going forward, I hope fraternities can move away from these horrible traditions and I hope that the University can play a role in bringing that about.”
Patten said he was being “hazed as a pledge at a fraternity on campus” and thought the act was a “prank.”
“To the members of ZBT, I want you to know how deeply sorry I am,” Patten said in the statement. “What I did was wrong, and I take full responsibility for my actions.”
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick confirmed in a Wednesday statement to The D.O. that the court records had been sealed, meaning they’re hidden from the public, under New York state law.
“This type of behavior is disheartening, especially as it targeted a Jewish fraternity during a significant religious holiday,” SPD Chief Joe Cecile said in September 2025. “Acts of bias or hate have no place in our community, and we will continue to work with our partners at Syracuse University and the District Attorney’s Office to hold those responsible accountable.”
SAE was placed under investigation for alleged hazing on Jan. 29 and then on probation on May 6. The fraternity was notified of a “hazing finding” on May 6, according to SU’s Hazing Awareness Hub.
The university found the chapter responsible for hazing, bias-related harassment, reckless behavior and disorderly conduct, according to the Hazing Awareness Hub. Those involved received suspension, probation and education requirements.
“Chapter sanctions included conduct and social probation, bias and hazing education, removal of involved members, revised new member education requirements, a social risk management plan, bystander intervention training, regular check-ins with Greek Life, and increased national involvement,” the Hazing Awareness Hub reads.
