The University of Arizona has put all 21 fraternity chapters under the aegis of the school’s Interfraternity Council on “interim activities suspension” after multiple reports of misconduct.
In a letter to the school’s Greek community, Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman said that in the first seven weeks of the fall semester, her office received reports implicating nearly half of the 21 fraternity chapters.
The new reports come amidst existing suspensions for several chapters that began during the previous spring semester, with chapter members alleged to have engaged in “physical assault, drugs and alcohol, hazing and creating unsafe environments,” Ms. Lieberman said. Some of the cases involving those chapters are also under criminal investigation.
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Ms. Lieberman said due to that situation, the volume of new reports taxing her office’s resources and in light of warnings given to the affected fraternities in late August, all 21 chapters will have their activities suspended.
The “interim activities suspension” prevents the fraternity chapters from “hosting, attending, participating in, and sponsoring any organizational activities,” Ms. Lieberman said in the letter, with club business meetings being the only exception.
Chapters that were in good standing prior to the suspension will regain their status once their chapter advisor attends a mandatory meeting with Ms. Lieberman.
“As you know, the value of the Greek experience is under scrutiny nationwide. 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,” Ms. Lieberman added.
Fraternities are receiving renewed public scrutiny in light of a lawsuit filed by a woman under the name Jane Doe against Cornell University, its Chi Phi chapter which was closed in 2024 and seven former members of the fraternity.
The plaintiff alleges that the seven former members drugged and raped her at the Chi Phi residence in October 2024, prior to the chapter’s closure.
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