The University of Arizona has suspended six fraternities amid a misconduct probe, which includes allegations of physical assault, hazing, and the use of drugs and alcohol.
Chrissy Lieberman, the university’s dean of students, said her office is investigating multiple reports of misconduct that involve nearly half of the 21 fraternities on campus, according to an internal memo obtained by Arizona’s Family on Tuesday, October 6.
While Lieberman did not detail all of the violations, she said they range from creating unsafe environments for students, physical assault, drug and alcohol use and hazing.
Zeta Beta Tau, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Theta Xi and Phi Gamma Delta have all been suspended, effective immediately, amid the probe.
Meanwhile, all of the fraternity chapters on campus have been placed on interim activities suspension. They are expected to remain that way until all chapter advisors are able to meet with the Dean.
The activities suspension means that the fraternities are prohibited from hosting, attending, sponsoring and participating in any organizational activities. The school said that only business meetings are allowed to take place among fraternity members amid the suspension.
Once a chapter advisor attends one of the three mandatory meetings, the chapters that are in good standing will be able to resume activities as normal.
The suspensions were called more than one month after University President Suresh Garimella met with all fraternity presidents on August 27 to insist that the university would not “tolerate further violations that put our students in harm’s way.”
The university’s leadership told the fraternity leadership to “step up and be accountable for the men in their chapters,” as well as to stop behaviors that went against the school’s code of conduct.
“It was made clear that if the chapters did not meet this expectation, the university would be forced to act,” Lieberman wrote in the memo that was sent out on Monday, October 5.
Lieberman noted in the memo that the school has received several reports from parents, students and the community regarding concerns within the fraternities.
The Dean of Students Office is currently at capacity for the number of cases its staff can investigate at once, and Lieberman said that every one of those cases involved a fraternity chapter.
“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,” Lieberman said in the memo.
The Dean of Students Office and the University of Arizona Police Department are both investigating the allegations made against the fraternities.
Several fraternity chapters at the school have had a history of violations, while some have been under criminal investigation.
Most recently, Sigma Tau Gamma was placed on activities suspension in September after the members were accused of forcing members to drink alcohol and swallow live goldfish.
