The University of Arizona has suspended six of its fraternities this week citing ongoing investigations into drugs, alcohol, physical assault and hazing, local outlets reported. The suspensions were announced in a memo from Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman on Monday, saying her office has been inundated with reports of misconduct, and they cannot keep up. The six suspended fraternities are Zeta Beta Tau, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Theta Xi and Phi Gamma Delta, local affiliate KOLD reports.
Additional action impacting every Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapter includes them being placed on "Interim Activities Suspension" until chapter leaders meet with Lieberman in a mandatory advisers meeting. The suspensions in Arizona come amid heightened scrutiny of fraternity oversight on college campuses nationwide, as Cornell University faces multiple investigations over its handling of sexual assault allegations involving its Chi Phi chapter. New York Attorney General Letitia James has been appointed special prosecutor in a reopened investigation and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates is now leading an independent review of Cornell’s response and prevention to in part identify areas where the university improve.
Newsweek reached out to the University of Arizona late Tuesday night for comment. In the memo, Lieberman says reports have filtered into her office this semester from students, parents and the community, and that the Dean of Students Office is at capacity for the number of cases it can investigate, all of which include an IFC chapter, KOLD reports. We will do our part to hold every chapter and member accountable for their actions," the internal memo reportedly reads.
It is time for the University of Arizona Greek community to step up and set an example for good. It is time to have difficult conversations with each other and the members of the community.” Active suspension, according to the memo cited by KOLD, includes not participating in, sponsoring, attending or hosting any activities. Club business meetings are, however, allowed during the suspension.
Once a chapter leader attends a mandatory meeting, the chapters previously in good standing will return to that status, the memo reportedly says. The first meeting was scheduled on Tuesday. The remaining two are set for 8 a.m.
Wednesday in Bear Down Gym, Room 104, and at noon October 12 in Nugent 100, KOLD reports. Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told Newsweek Tuesday night: "I think an interim suspension is entirely appropriate when a university is dealing with credible allegations involving hazing, assault, drugs or other threats to student safety. Since the University of Arizona says nearly half of its chapters are implicated in misconduct investigations, including some matters that are also under criminal investigation, that strikes me as a reasonable precaution." Aronberg added that a school does not have to wait for criminal charges to be brought before deciding that conduct violated campus rules.
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