Protesters gather outside Northwestern University frat houses after drugging allegations
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern University has suspended all fraternity activities while an investigation is underway into reports that people were being drugged at frat houses without their consent.
The university suspended social events and recruitment activities until at least Oct. 17 at all frat houses.
University Police sent out a crime notice Saturday indicating students were drugged at two fraternities, which were unnamed in the notice.
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Students protested outside the frat houses Sunday night. The addresses match those of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Epsilon Pi.
The protesters say the university’s actions don’t go far enough to prioritize student safety.
The SAE house was suspended for a year in 2017, when four women said they were drugged at a frat party and two were sexually assaulted.
The ban included non-members and alumni. Fraternities that violate the current ban face fines.
In a statement, the school said:
"The University’s policy is that on-campus fraternity and sorority houses are alcohol-free spaces. Given the recent allegations, the locations of these reported behaviors and Northwestern’s commitment to the health and safety of our community, the University has decided that effective immediately, there will be no social events or chapter-sponsored recruitment activities at Northwestern fraternities in the Interfraternity Council (IFC) until at least Oct. 17. That includes events with non-members, such as alumni. Individuals or groups who violate this restriction, or any other University policy, will be referred to the Office of Community Standards.
The University has been in communication with IFC leadership, who understand the seriousness of these reports and the importance of the investigations. Earlier today, the IFC unanimously passed a resolution outlining restrictive measures in partnership with the University’s decision, and communicated to the University that they are instituting a ban on all social activities inclusive of recruitment events during this time frame."