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The Sigma Pi fraternity at the University of Colorado-Boulder has been ordered to cease all operations by its national organization while the university and police investigate claims that women were drugged on campus.
According to reports, five women have claimed that they were drugged at off-campus parties in October at CU Boulder. Despite the suspension, it is not clear if the fraternity has any connection to the alleged drugging.
In addition to the university, the Sigma Pi Fraternity said that they are conducting their own investigation and is cooperating with police.
The Denver Post reported that the fraternity was shut down and that “an alleged assault was reported at the Sigma Pi house … the same night the first two drugging victims were hospitalized.”
However, the vice president of the Sigma Pi chapter disputed that report, telling FOX31 that frat has not been shut down but has been told to “cease and desist” all activities as the investigation continues.
The suspension of Sigma Pi at the University of Colorado is the latest major fraternity or sorority lawsuit, investigation, suspension or closure in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State University, and Penn State have all suspended fraternities in the wake of hazing and alcohol deaths.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who was shut down for hazing and the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas which has been accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of women without their permission.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State, West Virginia University, and Penn State University have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
