A University of Arizona fraternity has been suspended after a sorority member says she was sexually assaulted by two men during a fraternity gathering in August, adding to a growing list of allegations putting college Greek life under scrutiny.
ABC15 Arizona reports that in a letter sent to the fraternity on Wednesday, the university’s Dean of Students Office wrote, “Activities Suspension has been imposed pending the outcome of this investigation because it has been determined that your organization presents a substantial risk to members of the university community.”
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According to the university, Sigma Phi Epsilon is accused of serving alcohol to underage guests and “created an environment that is a danger to the university community” during two unregistered social events held this semester.
Under the suspension, the fraternity is prohibited from hosting, attending, participating in or sponsoring any organizational activities until the investigation is complete.
“All members of Sigma Phi Epsilon are prohibited from having any contact with any alleged victims of these events and/or the victims’ families,” the letter stated.
The fraternity may continue to hold business meetings during the suspension.
According to The Guardian, the student told campus police she attended an event at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on Aug. 26. She recalled consenting to kiss one of the men but said she had no memory of agreeing to have sex.
During interviews with investigators, the woman described drinking tequila and sharing a cup with friends before the alleged assault. She said she remembered two men assaulting her, including feeling one man’s breath against her face. The next morning, she woke up without clothing below her waist and experienced difficulty swallowing, which she raised as a possible indication of strangulation.
She contacted police the day after the alleged incident and underwent forensic examinations at a nearby hospital.
Two days after the gathering, one of the men reportedly spoke by phone with another sorority member and acknowledged having sex with the woman. He maintained that the encounter was consensual and denied that the second man had sex with her. He also said his memory of the night was “fuzzy” because he had been drinking, according to The Guardian. He claimed video existed showing the woman kissing him in a bathroom.
The allegations emerged amid a broader disciplinary crackdown at the university. Officials previously suspended activities for 21 fraternities following reports of hazing, assault and alcohol- and drug-related misconduct. The Guardian reported that five chapters have since had their suspensions lifted following required meetings with the dean of students.
Sigma Phi Epsilon’s national organization said it suspended members implicated in the allegations while the investigation continues.
“The Fraternity has suspended those involved while the investigation proceeds,” CEO Brian Warren said in a statement. He added that the organization would expel members found responsible and cooperate with law enforcement.
The Arizona case comes as other universities confront similar allegations.
At Cornell University, a former student accused multiple Chi Phi fraternity members of sexually assaulting her in October 2024. The lawsuit has prompted campus protests, scrutiny of the school’s disciplinary procedures and a state investigation. The accused men have denied wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, a woman recently sued Alpha Delta Phi and its University of Chicago chapter, alleging she was raped by a fraternity member at an on-campus party in February. Chicago police are investigating a reported sexual assault from that period.
Police are also investigating a separate allegation involving a party at the University of Chicago’s Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house earlier this month. The fraternity has denied that any of its members participated in the alleged attack.
Together, the cases have renewed questions about student safety, accountability within Greek organizations, and whether universities are doing enough to protect students.
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