University of Maryland suspends fraternities pending investigation

2024-03-03 01:36:02

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — The University of Maryland has ordered fraternities and sororities on campus to suspend social and recruiting activities following the school received multiple reports of unsafe activities.

A letter sent Friday by university officials to sorority presidents informing them of the suspension did not describe the alleged misconduct as linked to the initiations, but instead referred to “activities that have threatened the safety and well-being of the students.” members of the university community.

The suspension applies to all organizations affiliated with the College Park Campus Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council, which represent 21 fraternities and 16 sororities, respectively.

The letter indicates that the suspension will be indefinite while an investigation is conducted. According to the letter, fraternities and sororities are prohibited from all contact with new or potential members, as well as from holding events where alcohol is consumed.

The action taken in Maryland comes just days following the University of Virginia suspended its Kappa Sigma chapter following an alleged hazing incident on February 21. In addition to the suspension of Kappa Sigma, the university’s Interfraternity Council imposed a three-week suspension on all its chapters “as a commitment to anti-initiation efforts and out of respect for the current situation.”

News outlets reported that the Kappa Sigma chapter in Virginia was suspended following a rookie who had been drinking excessively fell down a ladder and hit his head, requiring him to be hospitalized.

In Virginia, the 2021 death of Virginia Commonwealth University student Adam Oakes following a hazing-related incident at a fraternity led to the passage of an anti-hazing law and the payment of nearly $1 million. to Oakes’ family from the university.

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