Vanderbilt fraternity suspended over email

Vanderbilt University and the national office of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity have suspended local chapter operations after a member sent out an offensive recruiting email.

The university would not discuss the exact content of the email, but a statement from Vice Chancellor Beth Fortune on Wednesday said it ''conveys a message that is reprehensible in its disrespect for women.''

The Tennessean reported that the email makes light of a case in which four now-dismissed Vanderbilt football players are accused of raping an unconscious female student.

Alpha Tau Omega CEO Wynn Smiley said the student who sent the email has been expelled from the fraternity. He said the local chapter has apologized to the email's recipients and to the campus community.

Vanderbilt says the suspension that began Oct. 3 continues pending an investigation and hearing.