Reports Of Unsafe Activities Lead UMD Officials To Halt All Greek Activities

COLLEGE PARK, MD — All new member and social events held by fraternities and sororities at the University of Maryland have been suspended while school officials investigate claims of activities that have "threatened the safety and well-being" of students.

An emergency meeting was held Thursday among all of the Fraternity & Sorority Life Councils. The following day, James McShay, assistant vice president for student affairs and interim director of fraternity and sorority life, and James Bond, director of student conduct, sent a letter to the presidents of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council, which represents 21 fraternities and 16 sororities.

"As stated during the emergency meeting of all yesterday, you were notified that further allegations of misconduct may result in a cease and desist of activities for one or multiple councils. Despite that warning, additional incidents regarding fraternity and sorority organizations were reported today (Friday)," the letter stated.

"Therefore, effective immediately, all IFC and PHA new member program activities are suspended indefinitely, pending the results of a thorough investigation. Additionally, all IFC and PHA organizations are on social moratorium indefinitely. Social moratorium prohibits the chapter from hosting any events, on or off-campus, where alcohol is present," the letter continued.

Furthermore, current members of the fraternities and sororities are to have no contact with any new members or prospective new members via social media, in person or in other ways.

Once the investigation concludes, a decision will be made regarding the status of the IFC and PHA organizations and appropriate next steps, school leaders said.

Griffin Flannery, a student who is not a member of a fraternity but lives in a house on Fraternity Row, told WBAL that police searched all the houses this weekend.

"The fraternity ended up letting me know the house was being investigated by the police, letting me know that my room would be searched while I was gone," Flannery said. "There's only rumors about what actually happened. Everyone's talking about it. It has kind of been the big talk of the weekend. I hope that if the rumors are true about what happened, I hope that at least the fraternity that is suspected of doing some pretty awful things is at least suspended for the rest of the year."

Other students who spoke with WBAL said it's unfair to suspend activities at all Greek organizations for the actions of a few.

"I don't think all the frats should be disbanded. I think that's a bit too harsh, but I do think the frats in trouble should have some sort of punishment," said Wale Adelaja, a student. "I don't think it's a UMd. issue. I think it's just a frat issue that kind of went too far. I think it's, like, a fair warning to make sure other frats hold the other ones accountable to make sure no one goes too far."

WJLA reached out to UMD leaders regarding what specifically led to the suspension. University representatives declined the station's request for an interview, but released the following statement:

"Fraternity and Sorority Life is an important part of the academic and social experience at the University of Maryland. Our decision to suspend new member and alcohol-related activities was made after careful consideration of reports, observations and data-driven analysis of behaviors that we felt posed a threat to the safety and well-being of some members of our community. No single or specific incident led to this decision. Our decision was made to prevent such a significant incident. Our investigation is a demonstrated commitment to prioritizing a safe and healthy campus environment.

"We plan to engage an external resource to assist with an investigation that moves as quickly as possible, and we aim to stay in close coordination with chapter and council presidents, as well as national organizations and Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life advisors. We are also actively identifying the best ways to communicate with fraternity and sorority alumni now and in the future."